'Shetland Gue' - ancient bowed lyre from the Viking Age

The Gue was a traditional fiddle used on the Shetlands since the Viking Age or even earlier. It was replaced by the modern violin and was not used anymore since the late 18th century.

Here's an improvisation on a reconstructed Shetland Gue, strung with horsehair strings. The strings are not pressed down on a fretboard but touched by the fingers to produce different notes.

It's related to traditional lyres of Scandinavia like the Jouhikko or the Talharpa and also to instruments like the icelandian Fiðla or the inuit Tautirut.

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Camera/Sound: David Neuenhagen

[dawnsmith]

So very interesting.. but it hurts me to hear the rasping sounds...

[barefootarts]

The way you play is so natural and subtle.
I wonder if you would make a video about some of the universal lessons for ‘newbie’ bowed instrument players.
Some of us playing bowed lyres have never played an instrument before.

[ladyjane]

Sounds smokey somehow, cool and almost like an old victrola. 😊

[mmmsbc]

I like your sound it's arresting. A blend of many music traditions. Your bird design sound hole caught my eye. The two Tagelharpas I built have bird sound holes. Each one a different bird design. Play on!

[balalaikabeginner]

This sounds great! What's the name of the instrument laid down on the right?

[robabnawaz]

Ah, jetzt hab ich ein Video gefunden, wo du es spielst. Klingt ja echt toll, hat was von qyl qopuz. Ist der Steg wie bei einer gadulka konstruiert, also, Stimmstock direkt am Steg?

[souradipchatterjee]

Beautiful ❤️❤️.. What is the origin of this instrument?