Hardanger Fiddle

Sound and Character

The sound of the Hardanger fiddle is bright, ringing, metallic, and multi-layered. Due to the resonating strings, it seems as though the violin is playing in a permanent natural echo or chorus, perfectly conveying the severe beauty of northern nature.

Design and Features

Externally similar to an ordinary violin, but rich in traditional wood carving and mother-of-pearl inlay. The main difference is that beneath the main 4 strings, another 4 to 5 resonating (sympathetic) strings are stretched, which vibrate on their own.

Genres Used In

• Norwegian traditional folk music (slåttar)
• Scandinavian folk-metal and neofolk
• Soundtracks to Scandinavian fantasy (e.g., games and movies about Vikings)