Folks might be interested in the free pdf book Be Different: Play the Kantele by FOTMD member @Peter-W. Peter makes and plays the instrument. (And in the interests of full disclosure I should say he asked me to do some copyediting at the very end stages of the writing process.)
Hey i stumbled on this auction of a kantele on Ebay, and it looks pretty nice, at a good price, thought I'd share it here in case anyone is interested (i have no connection to the auction). In the auction it's described as a 'dulcimer', btw.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264403850737?ul_noapp=true
Thank you Lexie, I'm so glad Lynn Austin is building these now.
Excellent, I love the sounds of your Kantele Cynthia. It is nice to have all three songs in one place.
Vermont Kantele Maker
Just as I thought, Lynn Austin of southern Vermont has a new 5 string kantele up on ebay for sale, her second one. I knew she wouldn't be able to resist making them. And it's a beauty, for all of you who want to enter this wonderful world.
Thanks Lynn, I couldn't have done it without you. There are tunes here, so I'm wondering whether it's the bells or the old Finnish tune you're talking about...wait until you hear Supplication with improv. and...I'm thinking soundholes...cross with thorns maybe?
Aw shucks Patty thanks, I do work hard at things though...sure am loving that instrument though.
Steph thank you, I sort of did this one so people thinking about it can hear what you can do with the 5-string. It is not tab, it's music, but not so hard to learn 5 notes if those who can't read music. Lani's first book teaches that and she has several, so for those who don't play by ear, you'd have plenty of music. She seems to be the only one writing books for it.
Cynthia, you are very talented. I love it that you are showing us the kantele. It's a beautiful sounding instrument. Wunderbar!!!
Thank you Lexie, that is the song that bewitched me first, and now playing that simple 5 note song, I'm even more convinced there's a lot of magic in that strange instrument...I think you might just have some fun with a 5 string. I may actually learn to make them. Never know...
Cynthia, I loved that song, very pretty to hear the bells.
You are really going on that Kantele and love hearing you play.
Keep em coming!
Here's s sweet Finnish folk tune trad. played on 5 string kantele, which I'm playing on my 10 string as I don't have a 5. This is something not so do-able on a noter/drone dulcimer!
and my first song played a couple of days after I got it:
I'm having fun with my 10 string kit from Musicmakers made by Lynn Austin.
