The pizzicato playing (plucking the strings) that Rauno (the left guy) does is very interesting I think. I haven't seen the instrument played that way before and it gives sure this performance an extra thumbs up.
My wife and I just got one of each of these instruments. As a proud part-Finnish/Sami American, I can only hope that one day we approach your level of skill and beauty on them! Excellent job, gentlemen!
Is that you in your display pic? You don't look remotely Finnish nor Sami, have you ever done a 23&Me? You look Ashkenazi Jewish to me. Which is odd as there aren't many of those in Finland! What makes it even more confusing is your surname isn't a real surname, although invented / adopted surnames are common amongst Ashkenazim - which unfortunately can make tracking their ancestry difficult for them. But it does exist as a noun, it is a city in Pakistan. Would be super interested in the results if you do take a test though!
@@dr.lexwinter8604 Identityless americans claim to have all sorts of ethnical backgrounds. And to a point they have, coming mostly from Europe. But sometimes it's enhanced by a lot of wishful thinking. The name Naworal has connections to Poland in Europe. Doesn't mean there it excludes the possibility of foreigners falling in love. The same within the states. Mother could indeed be finnish for example and father jewish. The genes that are predominant could be jewish, yet he is half fin also.
Huuhuu.....This was unexpectedly incredibly. Now I'm really inspired for my kantele to be ready. But where on earth can I find a jouhikko luthier in Finland?
Be VERY careful when it comes to ancient and historic recreations. Most of the stuff you find online is made in China, or made in Poland/Ukraine with 'kits' purchased from China. I took to making Germanic instruments (especially those that no longer exist (based on archeologists sketches, and quite costly x-rays of remaining finds)) as I feel that only a Germanic person can truly make a Germanic instrument as we won't accept "Good enough." and will want it to be a painstaking reconstruction. I'd love to offer my services but they aren't for sale - each reconstruction is just too much work, and the Finnish people are not Germanic ethnically so I would feel wrong about it even though it is identical in almost every way to the talharpa, and other bowed lyres, and probably came to Finland from our ancestors. Although I am considering making a website revealing a lot of the inner workings of various instrument finds that most people get wrong, for example many used an iron nail as a sound post, many still used amber bridges rather than woods (in fact wooden bridges are a very modern invention, amber went out of vogue around the 8th century to be replaced with bone and antler). It irritates me seeing so many $500-5,000 instruments that are only a modicum better than the Chinese stuff. I suspect it is because people insist on compromising, or clients insist on cheaping out on the essential parts that truly affect the sound. I do hope you find a luthier who can help though. It's been a year so I would suspect you have by now. If you do get stuck though and want a hand making it yourself hit me up on Skype ('lexwinter' all lower case - open invitation to any other people with a passion for ancient sounds). Who knows, this pandemic may well put me in the poor house so I might have to start monetizing my skills. Although I've never really monetized anything I'm truly good at. I'm woefully inept for a capitalist world, I don't even trade the things I make (especially blacksmithing - and that can get costly) I seem to always just give it away as a gift. But seeing the look on peoples faces and knowing I've made an heirloom object is a payment no currency can match.
