I have had my Jouhikko nearly 2 years, but I have made little progress, mostly because once I start practicing I feel so anxious. I practice my scales and a couple of songs… but I feel as though I am torturing those around me with the sound of a wailing and dying cat. And yet, at the same time I recognise that I will never start to sound great unless I practice. So, perhaps stupid question, what can I do?

I want to build a 3-string Flat Bridge Tagelharpa and had some very basic questions. I've never seen one in real life so I'm just going off of photos. Apologies for any short sighted or basic questions.

Context: I plan to make it 24 inches butt to head, and 9.5 inches wide at its widest, perhaps 3 inches deep. Mostly out of a single piece of wood, besides the front plate. I have a Cello Bow that I will be using.

Am I correct in assuming the two bottom strings are drones, while the top string is melodic?

I was thinking of installing my bridge just using a friction fit and tension of strings to hold it in place so I can swap bridges easily if I want to try different size strings, is this valid?

How far (roughly) should the notches be from each other on the saddle? Is this important for playability and sound? Further, is distance between tuning machines important, and is there such thing as too much distance?

Should scale length be a round number, does it really matter?

I plan to use Viola or Violin Strings, is this okay? and what tunings should I Try? Is it like guitar in that it's tuned Low to High based on top to bottom?

I know some of these probably could have been googled, but I'd be happier to hear it from you experienced folks :)

Thanks in advance, I can't wait to give it a shot!

Two from Klosterneuburg psalter and one from Limoges

I have nerve issues in my hands. I used to play acoustic guitar. I had to give it up because I couldn't put the amount of consistent pressure required on the strings. I moved to 4 string electric bass. I do much better with that.

I am very interested in trying the tagelharpa. My issue is that I don't have anyone locally that plays one. I know there is no fretboard, so I don't know how much pressure is required for the strings. I hope this makes sense lol. Could anyone give me some understanding/context of what to expect.

I have another question. This one more about the instrument itself. When I ordered my Tagelharpa it came with metal guitar strings, but a lot of the ones I am seeing around don't have those. What is the best string for the instrument or are the metal ones okay to use. I know they have an effect on sound quality.

I got a 3 string bow harp I think around a year or two ago. I have been trying to find some good material on how to play, and tune the instrument. YouTube doesn't have very many good videos. Not to the fault of the video creators. It is just an instrument that doesn't have much on it in English at least.

Hey y'all, I'm making my own bass talharpa. It's 42 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 2 inches thick. All I have is a slab right now, I'm just wondering where I can find dimensions for the size of the pegbox, the width of the neck bridges that lead to the body, and how big my hollowed out cavity should be so I can put my soundboard on top. Any and all help would be appreciated, thanks.

I have decided to challenge myself and take the time to make my own tagelharpa by hand. I specifically want to make a bass tagelharpa and had a few questions on what the dimensions of a build like this would be.

I've done some research and so far I can't find any consistent dimensions. And should it be based on the size of my body or something else?

I know this is a massive project to tackle head on so I just want to find some guidance from people more experienced than me so I have a good place to start.

I made my own tagelharpa out of 100% recycled materials
Very keen to master the instrument
What do you guys think? Look good for a first build?
And are there any playing tips or building tips that any of you might have?
If so that would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

I decided to run an experiment on this bass Jouhikko with gut strings.
The third string was a bit too thin for its intended note, so I decided to wind it with 0.2 mm silver-plated copper wire. The result is a gut-core string with a copper winding. I have to tell you, the experiment was a huge success! The string now sounds incredibly cool, powerful, and holds its pitch perfectly. I'm really happy with how well and high-quality it turned out.

I have a private project I’m working on and it would be perfect for the setting. I don’t know much about the technicalities of music but I’m sure the range of Hildegard Von Bingen’s compositions can’t be perfectly replicated on these instruments, so I’m perfectly fine with some interpretation or artistic freedom. But how difficult would it be?

[Here’s a popular rendition of the song in question.](https://youtu.be/X8u15Q99HUU?si=mVUfYW5yvV-j-5Co)

[Here’s a rendition that includes a nykelharpa](https://youtu.be/1WPZkrgxP-A?si=4ssMrqn9qnpeUBdf)

I am watching some videos in preparation as I am (hopefully soon) going to own a taglharpa. Musically speaking, I am an absolute analphabet.

The video in question spoke about not tuning a taglharpa by plucking, as the pressure applied by a bow will make the sound different.

That got me wondering - is plucking even a thing with a taglharpa? Do you guys integrate plucking into your music, or do you just not do it at all and purely play with a bow?

I am thinking that plucking might be a way to get more comfortable with the instrument in the beginning; and if I ever get lucky enough to play with someone else, plucking might help create a fuller song without the instruments competing.

I am happy to hear any input!

Hallo ! I made a tagelharpa (took a few days but almost done now). The thing is, I can't make a sound when using the bow, I've added a ton of rosin by now (at least, i would consider it a ton haha). Tried different amounts of pressure and distance from the bridge. The strings sound great when plucked. That's why I think it has to do with the bow or how i use it.

The bow is made with horse hair, and the strings are nylon thread.

Do you have any idea what I need to change ?

Hopefully, you can help me. Thank you in advance, ladies and gentlemen.

I just got one and am trying to learn. I have a hard time positioning it between legs to play it as it just seems to keep slipping and I thought a strap of some kind like a guitarist uses might help. I can actually play it better seated across my lap like a mountain dulcimer but I know this is not the right technique and don’t want to develop bad habits.

So I recently discovered some Tagelharpa players via Instagram and I would love to try and learn how to play.

the only problem is I don't know how to play any instruments. I can't read music sheets, I don't know how to use a bow. I don't know how to tune an instrument.

I'm in Germany and I haven't been able to find someone who would offer lessons.

I know there are tutorials on YouTube, but realistically, is it possible to learn just by watching those?

Do I need a basic knowledge of music sheets and notes first?

How did you get started? 😬

I bought a talharpa over a year ago and really really wished to learn it but I ran into many difficulties playing. I have alot of dexterity issues such as osteoarthritis and hypermobility syndrome so my hands cramp up, hurt, or things straight up don't stay in the joints so moving my fingers up and down the neck was HARD.

I still want to learn but I was thinking getting one with a shorter neck BUT I still want that deep tone like the bass talharpa or similar. Would I be able to get this modified if I were to order somewhere to fit my needs or should I just give up?

This amazing design was made by my friend Christoffer from @talesfromutgard on instagram.

I really love how the design incorporated onto the tagelharpa.

Great design and great tone.

50 corpus
Spruce for body and boards.
Fishing line strings

! Repost cus I forgot the reference image like a dumbass !

I just recently received my talharpa and I’m in love with it! I’m slowly learning the basics of droning and it’s starting to sound less like noise and more like actual notes (sometimes). That being said, I do wish it had a deeper tone to it.

My question is; is my talharpa too small to rig into a bass talharpa? I’m thinking of switching the strings out for C-C-G 1/4 scale cello strings (C3, C2, G2). My instruments dimensions are 22in x 5 3/4in x 1 3/4in (reference in picture).

I don’t plan on swapping strings right away, I wanna get my basics (and even some more) down first before I attempt anything else! I love my talharpa, it’s my first ever instrument, so if I can’t do it I’d rather know before I commit to something that won’t be good, ya know?

Hello, first post here I just wanted to share a Bowed Lyre that I was inspired to make after hearing one on TikTok. The wood was a log that had been washed down a creek from a previous flood. I'm not sure of the type but I live in Costa Rica and it's a native species. I spent about 6 weeks carving it out getting all the parts together and learning about the body construction on the internet. For the past month have been enjoying learning how to play it. Obviously I have a long way to go but I am really enjoying playing this instrument even more than I thought I would!

Hello, im a beginner on tagelharpa, everyday trying to learn. But im with a specific difficulty... how can I bow on the middle strings more clear than the side strings... always ends bowing more one of the side strings than the middle one. My strings are all in the same level.

Please any tips or tricks?