About Norway - The Harding Fiddle
The Harding Fiddle is the Norwegian National instrument. Its orgin is from the famous Hardanger-region at the west coast of the country.

The fiddle's history is closely linked to myths and superstition, and many believed that the fiddle was possessed by the Devil, or at least the Devil's own instrument.

There is a myth where the player went to a waterfall during a wild barnparty. There he heard a mighty music, and when he looked closer, the Devil was sitting under the waterfall playing. Paralised he listened to the wild music using every inch of the fiddle.

Afterwards he went back to the party and played the music. No-one had ever seen or heard anyone play like that before, and the piece were called "Fanitullen" - which means "the Devil's play".
Facts about the fiddle:

The fiddle has 8 strings instead of 4 like the ordinary fiddle has. 4 of these are on the top, like ordinary, and are touched by the bow. The other 4 lays beneath and the vibrations  from the upper 4 sets off the strings.  This makes a distinguished sound that adds the supernatrual element.

The fiddle is higly decorated with white decorations on the black neck, and black patterns on the brown body.
Back to:
Norway
Other pages about Norway
Telemark skiing
Way of life
Language
Trolls
All graphics (c) 2003 Rune Hjelmeseter
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1