Links
Information About Kanteles
Kantelista: a blog about kantele-related acoustics, music and culture.
The World Music Tradition Project: World Music Tradition is a non-profit Internet-based project whose purpose is to provide information about traditional cultures and music. Their kantele pages include information on the history, construction, decoration and playing technique of the kantele.
Kantele Groups/Associations
Kantele This Facebook group is for anyone who loves playing or listening to the kantele.
Kantele in Japan Kanteles are popular in Japan. This Facebook group is for anyone who wants to keep up with kantele activities in Japan.
New Kantele Music This Facebook forum helps players and composers become aware of new music and playing styles for kanteles.
Kantele Makers
Baltic Psalteries has made over 8,000 psalteries since they opened in 2002. Around 10% of their instruments are donated to orphanages, music institutions and large families. The company offers custom-made instruments that can be painted or inscribed. They are located in Pushkino, near Moscow, Russia.
Blessley Instruments makes four different kantele styles for you to choose from including a Virsikantele (hymn kantele). Each kantele comes with basic playing instructions, a tuning key and a small tune book. Sharping levers can be added for an extra fee, and kantele cases are also available for purchase.
The Kantele Shop was founded by Gerry Henkel and specializes in making traditional Finnish instruments. Located in Minnesota, it is a major source for kanteles in North America.in addition, you can purchase tuning keys and soft cases for your kantele.
Kantele Making Plans Book: Years ago I made a five string kantele using Michael's plans and now you can, too. His new books include plans for a five string, an 11 string and a 15 string drone kantele. My kantele sounds great, and yours can, too!
Michael King makes some of the most beautiful looking and sounding kanteles that I've ever seen. They have delicate lines and beautiful inlays. I own one of Michael's pentatonic kanteles and love the warm, rich sound of the music.
MusicMakers sells a ten string kantele, as well as a kantele kit that includes everything you need to put your own kantele together. A series of videos are posted on their website to help guide you in construction.
Pekka Lovikka has worked as a professional kantele builder since 1983. His company makes the Lovikka brand kantele and they deliver mostly in Finland, but also in Europe, USA and the rest of the world. I have one of his five string kanteles, as well as several of his piccolo kanteles. Not only do they sound good, they hold their tuning longer than any other kantele I've played.
Teachers and Workshops
Online Teachers
Arja Kastinen uses "slideshare" to show you how to change a string on a 5-15 string kantele.
Michael King has a five part video "course" on how to play the 5 string kantele posted on YouTube.
Michael King's instructional video for 10 string kanteles is also posted on YouTube.
Michael King, a kantele maker from the UK shows you how to play the first six chords on an 11 string kantele.
Matti Palonen explores fingerings for 5, 11 and 15 string kanteles. You can find additional kantele tutorials from him on YouTube.
Maija Pokela demonstrates how to play an 11 string kantele.
Peter Widenmeyer has written a 20 page ebook showing you how to play a 5 string kantele as an accompaniment instrument. You can download it from his website here.
Connecticut
Kasha Breau is a kantele teacher in Marlborough, Connecticut. You can email her at kantele@att.net.
Minnesota
Diane Jarvi is a kantele teacher and player in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Washington
Valerie K. Blessley: Email. Valerie lives in Vancouver WA and teaches Perho River Valley style Finnish kantele. She performs with the harp duo Celtic Muse, the NW kantele group Livakat, and the Evergreen Kantele Ensemble.
Performers and Songwriters
dianejarvi.com Diane Jarvi's home page. Diane is a singer, songwriter, guitar and kantele player from Minneapolis, Minnesota U.S.A., She sings and plays folk, jazz and world music and you can hear some samples here.
Eija Kankaanranta Eija Kankaanranta performs on the kantele as a soloist and chamber musician, focusing on contemporary music and improvisation. She has appeared as soloist with the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra, Pori Sinfonietta, Joensuu City Orhestra and the Netherlands Wind Ensemble. She has also played the kantele in various orchestras like the Uusinta Chamber Ensemble, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble and Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen.
Merja Soria received her Master's Degree from Sibelius Academy in Finland. She combines kantele playing with singing the traditional songs of her native Finland. She has performed at the Los Angeles Music Center, Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., Toronto Centre For the Arts, Peninsula Music Fair and many other music festivals in United States and Europe.
Where To Find Kantele Music
Inkoon Musiikki Led by Matti and Sinikka Kontio, this site says it has "almost everything for the kantele" including CD's, sheet music, tuners, and studio equipment. They also deliver their products outside Finland.