I play Swedish traditional music on a traditional instrument - the Swedish bagpipe . This instrument is native to Sweden and was suggested to the title "national instrument" in the 1860's (together with the nyckelharpa). The tradition died out soon after that, however, and was soon forgotten. The instrument was revived in the early 1980's.
I have worked to spread information about this fascinating instrument, in Sweden and abroad, for many years through concerts, courses, workshops, information sites on the Internet, etc.
I play both traditionally configured Swedish bagpipes, i.e. mouth blown and with a single drone, and an extended version of the instrument with bellows and more drones (which makes it superficially similar to the Irish Uilleann pipes). The main advantage of the extended instrument is that it is much easier to keep in tune. The pipers of old played mostly solo - I like to play with others.
I play traditional music from most parts of Sweden, but in particular from Dalarna (where the instrument has its roots) and Uppland (where I live). I also sing traditional songs, together with the bagpipe playing second voice (another advantage of the bellows). And I give talks and lectures on bagpipe history, Swedish and international.
In 2008 I was awarded the Swedish honorary title Riksspelman (Piper of the Realm).
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