The Beauty of Finnish Folk Music

Finnish folk music has a unique sound that is influenced by the country’s geography and history. Learn more about the beauty of Finnish folk music and how it has evolved over time.

Introduction

Finnish folk music has a long history and is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. The music is characterized by a unique melodic sensibility and a wide variety of musical styles.

Finnish folk music includes a number of different traditions, from the traditional songs of the Finnish people to more modern, urban and cosmopolitan traditions. The music is often played on traditional instruments such as the kantele, fiddle and accordion.

Finnish folk music has been influenced by many different cultures over the years, including Swedish, Russian and Germanic traditions. The result is a rich and diverse musical tradition that is truly unique to Finland.

Finnish folk music is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage and has a long history. The music is characterized by a unique melodic sensibility and a wide variety of musical styles. Finnish folk music includes a number of different traditions, from the traditional songs of the Finnish people to more modern, urban and cosmopolitan traditions. The music is often played on traditional instruments such as the kantele, fiddle and accordion. Finnish folk music has been influenced by many different cultures over the years, including Swedish, Russian and Germanic traditions. The result is a rich and diverse musical tradition that is truly unique to Finland.

What is Finnish Folk Music?

Finnish folk music has a long history, dating back to the 13th century. It is a vibrant and important part of the country’s musical heritage. Folk music is typically passed down from generation to generation, and it has been constantly evolving over the years.

Finnish folk music is characterized by its use of the pentatonic scale, as well as its unique lyrical content. Pentatonic scales are very common in folk music around the world, but Finnish folk music often features more complex melodic lines than other types of folk music. The lyrics of Finnish folk songs often deal with topics such as nature, love, and loss.

Finnish folk music is performed on a variety of traditional instruments, including the kantele (a type of zither), the fiddle, and the accordion. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in Finnish folk music, and many young people are now learning to play traditional instruments.

If you’re interested in learning more about Finnish culture, then we recommend checking out some of the country’s most famous folk songs. These songs are sure to give you a taste of the beauty of Finnish folk music!

The Origins of Finnish Folk Music

Finnish folk music has its roots in the music of the Finnish people who migrated from Siberia to Finland around 9000 BC. These people were the ancestors of the modern day Sami people, and their music was closely related to the music of the Sami people of Scandinavia. Finnish folk music was also influenced by the music of the Swedish and Norwegian peoples who settled in Finland from the 11th century onwards. The first Finnish folk music was written down in the 13th century, and it continued to be an important part of Finnish culture until the 19th century.

In the 19th century, Finnish folk music began to be influenced by German and Austrian Romanticism, as well as by traditional Scandinavian folk music. This led to a new wave of Finnish composers, such as Jean Sibelius and Oskar Merikanto, who began to incorporate elements of Finnish folk music into their own compositions. This trend continued into the 20th century, and today Finnish folk music is still an important part of Finnish culture.

The Characteristics of Finnish Folk Music

Finnish folk music has a number of distinctive features which set it apart from the traditional music of other countries. One of the most notable and unique characteristics is the use of the kantele, a type of zither which is native to Finland. Kantele players use their hands and fingers to pluck the strings, and the music often has a very ethereal sound as a result.

Finnish folk music also often makes use of unusual time signatures, such as 5/8 or 7/8. This gives the music a very distinctive lilt which is immediately recognizable as being Finnish. The melodies are often highly ornamented, and there is a strong focus on improvisation. This means that no two performances of a Finnish folk song will ever be exactly alike.

One of the most important elements of Finnish folk music is the singing style known as runo singing. This is a form of narrative singing which tells stories, usually about heroes and heroines from Finnish mythology. Runo singers will often improvise new verses to add to existing songs, keeping the stories alive and evolving over time.

The Instruments Used in Finnish Folk Music

Finnish folk music has been influenced by Swedish, Russian, German, and Scottish music over the centuries. The most common instruments used in Finnish folk music are the kantele, fiddle, nyckelharpa, and accordion.

The kantele is a type of zither that originated in Finland. It is played with a pick or the player’s fingers. The kantele has a distinctive sound that is often described as “plucked harp-like.”

The fiddle is the most popular instrument in Finnish folk music. It is played with a bow and has a range of four octaves. The Finnish fiddle has a unique sound that is achieved by using different bowing techniques than other types of fiddles.

The nyckelharpa is a type of keyed fiddle that originated in Sweden. It has 16 strings and is played with a bow. The nyckelharpa has a bright, ringing sound that is perfect for dances and other upbeat folk songs.

The accordion is a popular instrument in Finnish folk music because it can be used to provide both melody and accompaniment. The accordion is played with the right hand on the keyboard and the left hand on the bellows.

The Popularity of Finnish Folk Music

Finnish folk music has been gaining popularity in recent years, both in Finland and abroad. This is thanks in part to the work of folk music groups like Värttinä, who have been promoting the genre since the 1980s.

Finnish folk music has a unique sound that is influenced by the country’s geography and history. The most important instruments are the kantele (a type of zither) and the jouhikko (a bowed lyre). These two instruments are often played together, and their sound is often compared to that of a birdsong.

The popularity of Finnish folk music can be traced back to the country’s rich cultural heritage. For centuries, the Finnish people have been living in close harmony with nature, and this is reflected in their music. Finnish folk music is full of beautiful melodies and harmonies that evoke a deep sense of tranquility.

The Future of Finnish Folk Music

The future of Finnish folk music is very bright. With the popularity of Finnish music rising, more and more people are starting to take an interest in Finnish folk music. This is a very positive trend, as it helps to keep the tradition alive and also introduces new people to the genre.

There are many different types of Finnish folk music, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. One of the most popular subgenres is known as humppa, which is a very upbeat and danceable type of music. Other popular subgenres include tango and waltz.

Finnish folk music often uses a lot of traditional instruments, such as the kantele (a type of zither), fiddle, accordion, and mandolin. This gives the music a very unique sound that is quite different from anything else you’ll hear.

If you’re interested in learning more about Finnish folk music, there are many great resources available online. You can also find lots of Finnish folk bands that perform regularly at festivals and other events. Seeing live music is always the best way to experience it, so be sure to check out some Finnish folk bands if you ever have the chance!