Hollowed kanteles

The oldest kantele was carved out of a single piece of wood, either from below, when the base remained open, or from above, in which case it had a separate lid. In shape the hollowed instrument has the most pleasing lines. It is almost trianglar, but with one of the apexes missing but the sides and curves are all irregular. The folk kanteles were always unique in design. The Kantele-making was a folk art, and every builder made them according to their own tradition. The hollowed kanteles had few strings, usually five. In ancient times the strings were made of horsehair, in later times of copper or steel wire. There is no bridge to support the strings, which are attached to wooden pegs at one end and to a metal rod at the other. In ancient times the 5-stringed kantele was tuned to a minor or pentatonic scale, sometimes the third string, the middle, was neutral (between major and minor).

Historical and modern 5-string kantele, made by Jussi Laasanen 1984. Hollowed kanteles made according to historical models. Kanteles made by Jussi Laasanen 1984.