5 String Kantele, a playing guide, part 4 of 5

[riteandritual]

This is probably a stupid question, but i tried a violin bow on my kantele and couldn't get a sound out of it. Is it because it might have been synthetic bow or maybe I have the wrong strings on my kantele (they're metal strings)? I'm totally bummed, because I love the sound you get in your video out of a Kantele with a bow.

[michaeljking]

@riteandritual The strings must be degreased in the place that you use the bow or no sound will be produced, plus try adding more rosin t o the bow as some kantele strings are relatively thick and need all the help they can get! If you have coated strings (nickel plated?)you could carefully rub a piece of fine sandpaper, say 600-1000 grit to create something for the bow hair to grab(proceed at your own risk here) Good luck!

[riteandritual]

@michaeljking Thanks! It was the rosin. Not being a violin player I had no idea I needed rosin on a bow to use it! Now that I have rosined the bow, I'm having difficulty getting a consistent tone from the strings with the bow - sometimes its a screetch, sometimes its just "off" ... perhaps need to add more rosin?

Cheers!

[michaeljking]

@riteandritual I think the Bowing is the hardest part of playing a violin, it will take practice to get a pure tone, keeping the bow in the same place 3/4" in front the the peg(too close chokes the sound) and an even and consistent stroke. Check also that the bow hair is not twisted, it should be straight.

[VegaLeyffinen]

This just came to my mind: you can find a marvellous arrangement of this piece from the Finnish band "Piirpauke", which is a very skillfull jazz-rock oriented folkgroup. Cheers from VT

[VegaLeyffinen]

The piece is called "Konevitsan Kirkonkellot", "The Bellringing in Konevitsa" (=church bells). It's usually played much faster here in Finland. Just on the moment we're thinking to start the kantele playing for our child! By the way, thanks for subscribing to my vids. Also thank you for your interesting videos!

[michaeljking]

Thanks for the Information about the full and proper name, I play the whole piece in the 2nd video of the series, but I imagine that too is quite slow! I have a Finnish Kantele Playing Tutor on cassette and the speeed and complexity is mind blowing! Best wishes!