Swedish Folk Music
Swedish Folk Music
I am not sure how I ended up with Swedish Folk Music as my last music culture blog, but I learned so much and got to listen to some cool music! I think it's because I like Abba and wanted to research the music in Sweden before their days!
Swedish Culture:
Sweden is located between Finland and Norway in Europe. The main religion in Sweden is the Lutheran Church. The main language is Swedish, which is common with Latin, German, and Dutch. The major industry in Sweden is engineering and technology manufacturing. Sweden has a history of producing some great music!
History of Swedish Folk Music:
This type of music is based on folklore collections that were passed down from generation to generation that started around the 19th century in Sweden. The collection began with an organization called the Gothic Society in 1811. The group was formed after Sweden transitioned to a constitutional monarchy. The first known written folk tune came from the Gothic Society journal in 1813.
Founders of the Swedish Gothic Society
Swedish Folk Music in the 19th century was typically performed for an audience. There was even a contest held where folk musicians came together to compete. First, Swedish folk music was traditional solos then later on folk groups were created! The first recording of Folk music was in the 1940s.
In the 1960s there was a revival of Swedish Folk music through Jazz music actually! Folk music began to play on the radio and the tv!
Instruments:
Someone who plays traditional folk music is called a Spelman.
Early Swedish folk instruments are made from simple objects that one could find around in nature.
1. Nyckelharpa
"Key Fiddle" - 37 keys along the neck
"Key Fiddle" - 37 keys along the neck
Cross of the violin and the hurdy-gurdy
A bow is used to play the strings but also keys are used to change the pitch of the notes
A bow is used to play the strings but also keys are used to change the pitch of the notes
2. Psalmodikon
String Instrument- long box
Pluck strings to create vibrations and the unique sound
Created to accompany the congregation singing - couldn't afford an organ!
3. Spilapipa
Traditional flute
gains influence from the nomadic culture- easy to transport- a tool to herd cattle as well!
use 8 finger holes to adjust the tone
4. Sackpipa - Swedish Bagpipes
small bag causes a mellower sound
5. Swedish Lute
Developed from English guitar and the Cittern
15 strings
the string is over the fretboard and some do not pass over the fretboard
6. Traskofiol - Clog Fiddle
Swedish violin
Actually made from wooden clog shoes!!!
Actually made from wooden clog shoes!!!
Made as a low-cost violin
7. Sami Drum
Named after the indigenous people of Sweden
Wooden frame and stretched hide over the top
Strikes the drum with a drum hammer made from a horn
Ballads and Kulning
Swedish Folk Songs are heavy in ballads. A ballad is a verse that holds a short story in which the narrative is set to music.
Swedish Ballad- traveling in the Seven Kingdoms Kulning is also a big component of folk music in Switzerland! Kulning is a vocal tradition where singers will wrangle up their heard with hypnotic melodies. Kulning dates back to medieval times. The sounds made are high shouts but can have lower pitches!- quartertones and halftones. This produces "blue tones, " typically heard in suspenseful/horror movies. I found that Kulning is actually just a contraction of the words "Kuh" (cow) and "lock" (to call).
Swedish Tune
"Lat" is the Swedish word for a tune! The most common type of tune in folk music is Polska!
Polska:
Dance tune
beats 1 and 3 are heavy and downwards and beat 2 is light and upward - "bom-bip-bom"
There are even and uneven Polska as well as Polska with a long first beat and short first beat!
Note the key fiddle, drum, and the spilapipa
Waltz:
The tune of the Waltz is faster paced than the Polska Has three beats per measure The first beat is heavy and beats 2 and 3 are light and upward - "bom-bip-bip"
The Swedish Frog Dance
This is a traditional and well-known folk song! Follows a Polska tune! Here are the lyrics in Swedish and English!
Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se.
Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se.
Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de.
Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de.
Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
kou ack ack ack ack kaa.
Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
kou ack ack ack ack kaa.
The small frogs, small frogs are funny to see.
The small frogs, small frogs are funny to see.
No ears, no ears, no tails have they.
No ears, no ears, no tails have they.
Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
kou ack ack ack ack kaa.
Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,
kou ack ack ack ack kaa.
Today Swedish Folk Musicians
Johan Hedin
Swedish musician plays the keyed fiddle!
Swedish Folk Trio
Folk musicians in a trio that features female vocals, a guitar/fiddle player, and an accordionist. The accordion is also a signature instrument in Swedish culture.
Kongero
An all-female Swedish folk group that sings a capella. A capella is a performance where the singer is not accompanied by any instruments! This group actually tours all around the world!
Swedish Folk Trio
Folk musicians in a trio that features female vocals, a guitar/fiddle player, and an accordionist. The accordion is also a signature instrument in Swedish culture.
Kongero
An all-female Swedish folk group that sings a capella. A capella is a performance where the singer is not accompanied by any instruments! This group actually tours all around the world!
Kongero
An all-female Swedish folk group that sings a capella. A capella is a performance where the singer is not accompanied by any instruments! This group actually tours all around the world!
Swedish Folk Music Concerts
This is a link with a dated list of all of the Swedish Folk Music Concerts happening this year! The concerts are fun for the whole family! Features solos, bands, dances, workshops, and programming!
Sounds like a great time!
The dancers are so cool to watch and their outfits are so colorful! There is the Swedish National Dress called the Sverigedrakten and just traditional folk costumes are called Folkdrakten.
Midsummer in Sweden
Midsummer in Sweden is the celebration of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year! It is a celebrated holiday where a traditional lunch is served with iced beverages and folk songs played and sung along with!
Here is a video that talks about all the popular midsummer songs and their meanings! I think it is cool there are basically songs about everything! I liked the one talking about all the different and weird animals.
A typical song played!
See isn't Swedish Folk Music timeless!!! I enjoyed getting to learn more about Swedish culture and music!
Here is a video that talks about all the popular midsummer songs and their meanings! I think it is cool there are basically songs about everything! I liked the one talking about all the different and weird animals.
A typical song played!
References:
Anderrson, Karl. “Traditional Swedish Clothing: The National & Regional Folk Costumes of Sweden.” Nordic Perspective, 12 Oct. 2021, https://nordicperspective.com/culture/traditional-swedish-clothing. Accessed 3 May 2023.
Anderson, Laura. “Evolution of Swedish Folk Music.” Swedish Press, 1 Aug. 2016, https://swedishpress.com/evolution-of-swedish-folk-music/. Accessed 3 May 2023.
Calderon, Justin. “‘Kulning’: A Hypnotic Swedish Singing Tradition.” BCC, 7 Jan. 2021, https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210106-kulning-a-hypnotic-swedish-singing-tradition. Accessed 3 May 2023.
Farrant, Dann. “13 Traditional Swedish Musical Instruments You Should Know About.” Hello Music Theory, 20 Apr. 2022, https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/swedish-instruments/. Accessed 3 May 2023.
Norbeck, Henrik. “Swedish Traditional Music .” https://www.norbeck.nu/swedtrad/. Accessed 3 May 2023.
“Sweden - Culture, Etiquette & Business Practices.” Commisceo Global , https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/sweden-guide#:~:text=The%20Culture%20of%20Sweden,Swedes%20speak%20softly%20and%20calmly. Accessed 3 May 2023.
I don't know much about Sweden or their culture, so reading your blog was a great read! I loved your media selection; super entertaining and informational! My favorite part was seeing their dance and outfits!
ReplyDeleteI thought a lot of the instruments you showed looked very interesting. Considering Sweden was a heavy engineering economy, the instruments look like they reflect that. I also really enjoyed how you translated some of the traditional songs so that people who don't speak the predominant language get a better understanding of the song's meanings.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Abba was Swedish. I also loved reading this blog, the instruments you taught us about were super cool. I actually didnt know about the dancing and the costumes.
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ReplyDeleteJust made me realize that Oncloud comes from Swiss engineering, but anyways...this was a very interesting blog about Sweden because I know nothing about this country. My favorite instrument you have listed has got to be the Sackpipa, it just looks cool and I'm interested in how it works. Also, while listening to the videos you have, I wonder if Sweden is anything similar to Scottland because of the Disney movie "Brave". Overall, a very nice blog.
Great job on your blog. I loved reading about Swedish folk music. I also did not know that Abba was Swedish.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your blog, I especially liked seeing their dance
ReplyDeleteThis blog was amazing! I loved taking a peek at the musical instruments and dancing. Reading up on the history and different forms of music was very informative and tells just how extensive the genre is.
ReplyDeleteThe instruments you showed were very interesting. I enjoyed the Swedish tune it was very calming. The dancers were also cool to watch. I have never seen a keyed fiddle before, i loved watching him play it.
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