The First Strings Are Strung

It took a very long time (many more months than it should have), but here I am, my first steps into the world of blogging. Though my general indecisiveness (particularly with naming the blog) has been the main inhibiting factor, I am eager to start down this path to further explore and share some of my work and passions with the outside world.

It is my hope to provide readers with insightful knowledge and information across a broad range of topics concerning the kantele (for those of you who are not familiar, the kantele is a traditional stringed zither from Finland, and there will be plenty more on this subject to come), world instruments, instrument making, woodworking, crafting, and music, gathered from my continuing journey exploring these different, yet related paths. In time I will not only include information on instruments I have built, but tutorials, guides, resources, DIY info, suggestions and thoughts, instrument building on a tight budget, sheet music, compositions, and audio and video of the various kantele and other instruments I have made and will be making. I also strongly encourage asking questions, leaving comments, and engaging in discussion about the various topics or related content presented, and am very eager and more than willing to answer any questions and give help or suggestions related to these subjects to the best of my ability.

I am not a musician. Or a professional woodworker. Or a luthier. I am (however unrelated to these fields, though having some interesting cross-applications) simply, and quite happily, an electrical engineer who happens to have these interests and hobbies that have grown and developed from a long history and fascination with world instruments. These two passions of mine, engineering and instruments/crafting/woodworking, have often and always clashed for my attention (and spare project money), but have given me a chance to explore many interesting topics over the years.

The first strings are strung, the first notes have been plucked, and the melody begins to unfold. I invite you to explore this symphony with me.