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I May Never Play My Fiddle Again

by Elizabeth Morrison

Admittedly, I was never able to make it sing like a lark, but now it sounds like an old crow in comparison to a nyckelharpa! I first heard a live nyckelharpa performance on the last day of November 2001 in Montpelier, Vermont, where Peter Hedlund was playing. I don't remember the name of his first tune but I'll never forget the effect it had on me. Nothing had ever sounded so beautiful, so enchanting, to my ears. Suddenly I was alone in that room, transfixed by the nyckelharpa and its music. Tears pricked my eyes ... so THIS is where I've been headed!

Obtaining a nyckelharpa did not happen as easily as my decision to play one, but once I found my way to the ANA, I discovered a wealth of information about this amazing instrument. I also found a new family. Everyone I contacted was so friendly and generous with helpful suggestions to guide me on this path—there was light at the end of the tunnel! In just a few months, I was on Sören Åhker's waiting list and had received a loaner harpa to get started with while I waited for one of my very own!

I may not have been so completely mesmerized by this instrument if anyone other than Peter had been playing that evening in Vermont. Since he is the responsible musician, it’s fitting that he should teach me to play it, but considering that I'd be traveling to Sweden for lessons, this would be a difficult proposition. Luckily for me, the solution to this dilemma came in the form of instructional DVDs starring Peter!

I'm usually fairly uncomfortable during private lessons—such close scrutiny is almost more than I can bear. In these situations, my brain tends to shut down, leaving me fumbling for notes and forgetting what I've practiced so many times. Group workshops are easier on the nerves but not ideal for learning the fine details of playing a tune in any given style. The DVDs provide a new category of teaching, combining some of the best features of private and group lessons and eliminating the worst. It’s as though they were custom made for my own particular learning style.

These DVDs are works of art, skillfully filmed and produced by Rita Leydon. They are a pleasure to view both for learning purposes and pure entertainment! The presentation is in a minimalist format. Peter and his nyckelharpa are framed by a dark background; Peter dressed in dark clothing. The nyckelharpa glows. Rita and Peter have recreated, on film, the effect of my first experience with the instrument! With no distractions, it's exceptionally easy to focus on the task at hand. At first, the task at hand for me was to learn how to hold the harpa and bow, and tuning the instrument. Peter covers these skills right off and adds some exercises to warm up with.

Though there is no direct personal interaction, the experience is very much like having an extended private lesson. Peter obligingly plays and replays the tune in slow tempo until I finally get it! He also plays it at normal speed, adding double stops, trills, and variations to demonstrate how one might expand the tune. You can even change the angle of the camera to view just his left hand for the fingering. What&Mac226;s more, Peter is always available whenever I need to review a tune, fingering, or bowing or if I just need someone to play with.

Peter is an excellent teacher. He presents the lessons in a thoughtful progression of tunes, each an "exercise" introducing a new skill to work with. In the text portion of the DVDs, he writes a bit about each tune—where it came from, what new skill you'll be learning, and pertinent technical hints. Also included in the text portion are the transcriptions of each tune and the English pronunciation of the titles for those of us who need them. There are preview samples of tunes in the next DVDs and surprise videos of Peter and his harpa and friends in action at the end of DVD #2.

Many thanks to Rita and Peter for producing these invaluable DVDs. I'm thoroughly enjoying this learning experience. Just one question, how soon can I get the next one?