NYCKELHARPA MAKER

AMREY SCHAFFELD

Welcome to the website for Nyckelharpas by Amrey Schaffeld

Are you looking for a high-quality instrument with a unique sound?

Then you are in the right place here!

Each of my Nyckelharpas is an individually handmade piece with unique sound,

optimal weight and a keyboard that is characterized by wonderfully precise and smooth playability.

You can choose between four models.

I'll be very happy to welcome you in my workshop where you can try my instruments.

I'm looking forward to your visit!

ABOUT

ME

Since I've learned to play the violin at the age of 6, music has accompanied me throughout my whole life. As a schoolgirl, I've played in various orchestras, discovered my passion for folk music at the age of 16 and since then I 've played in a wide variety of ensembles from Irish folk to folk rock and Swedish folk, including bands like e.g. "Die Komödianskys", "Off Limits", "Lanky down Dilly", "Lindelund" and "Sväng - Scandinavian Folk Trio". Currently, I'm touring with the duo "Pärlycka" .

In spring 20I2, I successfully completed my training as a luthier at the violin making school in Mittenwald, Germany and in the same year I began playing and building nyckelharpas, which have fascinated me ever since my childhood.

I have worked in various violin making workshops, including the Holfter GmbH in Stolberg and the Peter Schlarb - workshop in Aachen. I've also worked for the nyckelharpa maker Annette Osann in Dole (France) from 2013 to 2017, and have been building nyckelharpas from my own models in my own workshop since 2013. Both, the collaboration with Annette Osann and the close exchange with professional nyckelharpa players have influenced my instruments and made them what they are today.

AWARDS AND CUSTOMER REWIEWS

I can proudly report that I was the first German to win first place with my instrument alongside Olov Johansson and Sören Åhker at the Gille och Nyckelharpstämma 2022 in Österbybruk, Sweden

"When Amrey handed me my instrument, the wonderfully sonorous sound immediately captivated me and still does. When I start playing, it is extremely difficult for me to put it down again. The keyboard can be played so elegantly, precisely and fluently, just as if you were stroking it. Absolutely fascinating!"

Claudia Elmer

"Amrey Schaffeld is experimental and innovative: with each new nyckelharpa she goes one step further. Her extremely precisely crafted instruments are characterised by excellent playability and a tone that is as powerful as it is warm."

Fabian Payr

NYCKELHARPA MODELS

My philosophy:

I build four different nyckelharpa models, which differ mainly in sound, choice of materials and construction. The colour and e.g. the shape of the head can vary regarding the customer's wishes. The development of my keyboard was inspired by the ideas of professional nyckelharpa players. This resulted in a keyboard that is optimally adapted to the needs of the player. Trills, glissando and fast runs are very easy playable on it. The fine tuners are integrated in the tailpiece. This allows easy and precise tuning and saves weight.

MODEL "JOIE"

This nyckelharpa has curved maple sides, maple back and western red cedar top with purfling and maple veneer head.

The sound is very fine and precise in modulation, in total warm and full.

In baroque music and early music the model "Joie" has already found many friends. It fits well into ensembles and is equally convincing as a solo instrument.

Number of keys on the keyboard:

A-String: 20

D-String: 12

G-String: 10

C-String: 10

MODEL "LA BELLE"

This nyckelharpa has a body made of spruce with sawn ribs and a narrow design and impresses with its particularly low weight.

The keyboard follows the same popular design of "Plaisir" and "Joie" and impresses with its smoothness and easy playability due to the small key spacing.

This model is warm, fine, round and well balanced

in sound.

Number of keys on the keyboard:

A-string: 20

D-string: 12

G string: 10

MODEL "FIOL"

This nyckelharpa is in violin tuning, i.e. G-D-A-E.
It is small and very light and therefore provides a pleasant playing experience. Playing violin literature on it is child's play.

The keyboard follows the same popular design of ‘Plaisir’ and ‘Joie’ and impresses with its smoothness and easy playability thanks to the small key spacing.

This model is radiant in the trebles, warm, fine and round in the overall sound.

Number of keys on the keyboard:

E-string: 20
A-string: 10
D-string: 10
G-string: 10

MODEL "PLAISIR"

This nyckelharpa has a body of spruce with sawn sides, as it is also common with traditional Swedish instruments.

The sound is therefore clear, direct and assertive, as well as full and sonorous in the lows.

The instrument is a good "all-rounder", well suited for folk as well as other music genres.

Number of keys on the keyboard:

A-String: 20

D-String: 12

G-String: 10

C-String: 10

MODEL "GLÄDJE"

This nyckelharpa has a body of spruce with sawn ribs,

following the longstanding swedish building tradition.

The special feature here is the traditionally hand-carved keyboard of the highest quality and precision.

This instrument follows the typical Swedish sound ideal and is based on the ideas and teachings of the reputable nyckelharpa maker Esbjörn Hogmark.

It has a clear direct sound that is optimally balanced for Swedish dance music

Number of keys on the keyboard:

A-String: 22

D-String: 10

G-String: 7

BOWS

I make different bows for different needs and playing habits.

Each of my bow models, except model D, is available in different types of wood.

It's a bit like the well-known book about a sorcerer's apprentice: every bow chooses its player;-)

BOW A

The shape of this bow is based on baroque models and impresses with its precision, speed and clear sound.

BOW C

This bow is modeled on the bows used in Sweden to play instruments such as the contrabass and silver bassarpa, and its shape brings flexibility and creative freedom to playing. It also makes it easier to play double stops.

BOW SAHLSTRÖM

Eric Sahlström, probably from 1959.

The graceful bend allows swing and flexibility for the typical Swedish “three-dimensional” playing style.

BOW B

This bow is based on Swedish models and its shape allows flexibility and three-dimensional tone modulation. It is slightly stiffer than bow C and does not have quite the same distance between hair and stick.

BOW D (extra light)

This bow is extremely lightweight as it is made from particularly resonant softwood. At the same time, it lies comfortably in the hand and on the strings thanks to a slightly thicker bow stick.

Its tone is soft, precise and full.