Spilåpipa

The spilåpipa (or spelpipa, spälapipa, låtapipa) is a type of fipple flute traditional in Sweden. It is traditionally from the pastoral/transhumant cultures of that country, though more widespread in the modern era. It is originally most common in the transhumant areas, generally north of Svealand. During the 1900s, Älvdalen was a centre of conservation of spilåpipa music, and accordingly that area's name for the instrument has become the most widespread. A significant variation of the instrument is the härjedalspipa, but it has many variants. The instrument has experienced a revival in recent decades as modern folk musicians have become curious about traditional instruments.

Construction[]

The spilåpipa is a fipple flute, in which a narrow gap is blow into which directs the airstream onto a blade in the frame which produces the sound. The instrument has eight finger-holes on the top, but no thumb-holes. It has a modal tuning, which is not necessarily compatible with much of modern Western music. The player is easily able to affect the intonation.

Notable players[]

An important spilåpipare (player) was (1872-1968) from Evertsberg in Älvdalen, Dalarna. In modern times, players include Anders Rosén (Malung), , Hars Åke Hermansson (Malung) and . Though not Swedish, the Dutch musician has received the prestigious bronze Zorn Badge for playing the spilåpipa.

Further reading[]

• , . Folkmusikboken. 1980, Prisma, Stockholm. ISBN 91-518-1180-4. (in Swedish)
• Folkmusikboken online (in Swedish)