Langeleik

The Langeleik is a traditional stringed musical instrument from Norway.

The instrument has one melody string, like a monochord, but it has additional bourdon strings (or drone strings), usually 7 or 8 on modern instruments, but older ones had fewer, most often 4 bourdon strings.

The frets under the melody string are placed such that it can only play a major scale (around A major, however it is referred to C major for the ease).

The bourdon strings are also tuned to the Triad of the melody string ( in quasi C, E and G (really somewhere about A, C# and F#)). Since the instrument cannot play Chromatic scale nor be easily tuned to other pitches, it's very limited from playing with other instruments and/or more harmonic complex music.

As a sidenote, the sound you get when you play other tones than those of the bourdons (the Triad C-E-G), is quite special.

The oldest known langeleik in existence is dated 1524. It's clearly related to other European instruments, but mostly to the German Scheitholt and next the French épinette. See zither for more relatives.

Types of langeleik

Elder langeleiks are quite square like, but often lacks the bottom. They have often five or six strings. They often had unique folklore scales other than the modern major chord ( using 3/4 notes etc). Especially the Third and Seventh tend to be different, the Third is often in between a major chord and minor chord and the Seventh tend to be lower than the modern leading tone.

Modern langeleiks are somewhat curved, being wider at the middle, as it is the experience of modern instrument makers that this makes the instrument sound louder. They are all tuned to a major scale.

Performers

Even within Norway, there are comparatively few performers of the langeleik. Among the best known performers of the late twentieth century is Elisabeth Kværne. The Norwegian blues guitarist Knut Reiersrud also plays it on occasion.

Langeleik

Types of langeleik

Performers

See also