Kantele Resources

Below are links from various sources about the kantele. While it may be difficult to sometimes find information about this fascinating instrument, there are many very excellent sources by some great players, makers, enthusiasts, and researchers alike. I will add more as I find them, but you will find an immense amount of knowledge here on the kantele, whether it be history, culture, making, playing, or research. If you have any other sources that you think would be a good addition to this list and would contribute to this collection of knowledge please feel free to contact me and I will add the suggested sources!

Kantele Tuning, Playing Guides, and Sheet Music

A Guide for Five and Ten String Kanteles - An excellent and very in-depth guide to the kantele by Gerry Henkel. Covers history, playing techniques, tuning, hand position, chords, patterns, string tying, and includes a great list of sheet music and traditional songs.

Be Different. Play Kantele! - Another excellent and in-depth guide by Peter Widenmeyer. Covers background and general information, history, parts, tuning, strumming, chords, and basic playing techniques.

Kantele Playing and Tuning Notes - A good basic guide on tuning and playing the kantele by Michael J. King.

Tuning Your Kantele - A good introductory guide to the basics of tuning the kantele by J.A. Thompson.

Kantele Sheet Music - A list of 6 sheet music arrangements for the kantele by J.A. Thompson.


Kantele Papers and Studies

The comparison of two different playing techniques in terms of sound spectrums in the Finnish national instrument kantele - A very interesting research paper by Henna Tahvanainen dealing with the physics, theory, and analysis of sound and string vibration of the kantele.

Nonlinear Modeling and Synthesis of the Kantele - a Traditional Finish String Instrument - A complex mathematical analysis and modeling of the kantele.

Design and Analysis of a Modified Kantele with Increased Loudness - An interesting paper describing the modeling and construction of a modified kantele design to increase loudness over traditional kantele designs.


Groups

The Kantele Player's Guild - A small but nice group of kantele players. Good sources of information and help regarding many aspects of the kantele.

Kantele Facebook Group - A great facebook group of kantele players and builders. Lots of information and help regarding all aspects of the kantele, with tons of pictures, videos, resources, and collective knowledge.

Kanteleliitto (Kantele Association) - A facebook group dealing with the Kantele Association.


Kantele Information

KanteleMusic - An excellent website with a wealth of information and knowledge on the kantele, including sheet music, essays, articles, sound clips, videos, and more.

Temps - Arja Kastinen - An excellent website with many interesting articles and research about the kantele.

Carl Rahkonen's Kantele Site - A great site that outlines a tremendous amount of history and detail relating to the development, history, and origin of the kantele.

World Music Tradition - A good site that provides good basic information and background about the kantele.


Kantele Craftsmen/Companies

Michael J. King - A very well known and unbelievable craftsman of not only kantele but a variety of instruments, U.K. based luthier Michael J. King provides an exceptional wealth of knowledge on the kantele and his other instruments. From videos, tutorials, and plans for building instruments, Michael J. King is one of the best resources out there for the kantele. And from personal experience, he is an excellent guy to work with and talk to.

Gerry Henkel - Another very well known and unbelievable craftsman of the kantele, U.S. based luthier Gerry Henkel is widely reputed for his instruments. Also providing exceptional resources and information on the kantele, Gerry Henkel remains at the forefront of quality handmade kanteles.

Koistinen - Well known and regarded throughout the kantele world, Koistinen is perhaps the most famous of kantele making companies, providing a variety of traditional, modern, and large concert style kanteles.

Lovikka - One of the most famous companies that makes traditional style, modern style, and large concert style kanteles.

Soitinrakentajat Amf - A small but well known company of fine craftsmen who make both traditional and modern style kanteles.


Other Kantele Related Blogs

Be Different, Play Kantele! - A relatively new but excellent blog on the kantele. The blog is in German (which I myself cannot read) but looking at the content it seems to have some great information and resources regarding the kantele. The site is run by Peter Widenmeyer, who, from the Kantele facebook group, is very knowledgeable on the instrument, actively posting and engaging in the community.

Kantelista - An interesting blog with several articles on kantele acoustics and other kantele background information.

iki.fi/o - Kantele - A short site with some basic dimensions for a homemade kantele.

Selkie Wood Works - A blog with a couple of posts following the build of a kantele.

Strum, Pluck, and Drone - A blog with several posts on the kantele, as well as autoharp and dulcimer.

WrenSong Kanteles - Posts on the kantele, as well as the native american flute and other crafts