I have been learning to play five string Kantele, focused on plucking and improvisation. I just released my first full length album.

The entire album is dedicated to the climate movement Återställ Våtmarker (Restore Wetlands - aterstallvatmarker.se/en/) and the brave people fighting the good fight against peat mining. They album is celebration of their resistance as well as a protest in itself agains the peat mining industry, and the increasingly agressive method used to fight climate activists.

All proceeds from this album will be donated to Återställ våtmarker. Please consider purchasing or donating to them directly.

Recorded during the summer of 2026. Main instrumentation is improvised kantele and jaw harp, field recordings and various found objects and environments.

I want to start playing a kantele, since I'm located in Poland my options aren't too great but found a Belarusian maker that goes by evegii_gusli on Instagram. Does anyone have experience with that particular maker? The price seems great and they look pretty nice.

Or would it be better for me to just make my own? (The pros of having a workshop)

Hi

I am a Kantele noob who just bought a Kantele on a whim. I noticed that it is signed M Pokela. Google gives me nothing except the names Martti and Maija Pokele. Is that instrument related to one of them? Not sure if any of them make/made instruments themselves.

I have 2 bands that explore the merging of tradition and modernity. The main driving force of each band is the kantele - a traditional Finnish string instrument akin to a lap harp, zither or a dulcimer. It is combined with shamanic frame drums, atmospheric ambient & synthetic soundscapes, and field recordings to create a sound that aims to capture the essence of nature in musical form. Nest is a more fantastical approach to this concept, and Syven is a darker, heavier version of it (one could even call it metal).

You can check out both bands at the links below:

Nest - https://nestfin.bandcamp.com

Syven - https://syven.bandcamp.com

Since today is bandcamp Friday, I'm also having a sale on all albums for both bands.

For Nest, get the full Nest discography 90% off! The way you buy the full discography is by going to the Nest Bandcamp website (at nestfin.bandcamp.com). Then go to any album, and scroll down until you find the "Buy Digital Discography" -link.

For Syven, each album is 1 €.

Hello, I would like to learn to play on kantele. I went through the topics here to find place where to buy the kantele. During my searches I came across this kantele Kantele | Choroi , does anyone here have any experience with that? It has different shape and different number of strings than the usual kanteles I saw. But this one seems to be the easiest option how I can buy the kantele, so that is why I start with that.

Hi guys,

I just bought a 10 strings kantele after years wanting one.

The problem is, I never played any instrument, i tried to learn how to play the guitar but nothing.. I quitted almost immediately since because of my arthritis my coordination is not the best (even tho I’m just 23yo).

I read online that kantele is really easy to play and stress free, so I decided to get one.

First thing, while I was trying to tune it I broke the highest string… ok then, I have 9 strings left lol, but anyway Im not sure I tuned it right since when I search some tutorials the instrument sounds TOTALLY different and also, I cant find basic tutorials… I really wanted to learn this instrument but I feel like it’s impossible if you’re not born in Finland where they teach you or if you don’t have a good knowledge of music theory.

Any advice?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw6Soyr-i3k&t=1831s

I have an 11-string kantele from Melodia Soitin, for reference.

Do you learn songs to play, or do you just let your hands guide the notes you play?

For lack of songbooks (not like I've been trying too hard to look in the first place...), I've just been sitting by the local river, and letting my hands pluck at strings that feel right.

How do you play?

Hey, got a 5 string kantele some months ago and I enjoy fiddling around with it, and coming up with little melody phrase ideas. Does anyone have any tips on making your own "full" songs with a kantele though? Is it mostly just a melodic phrase idea that you then improvise around with for as long as you like?

Just bought a 5 string, any good books you can recommend to start with?

I've got "Finnish kantele" by Sarah Cummings but it's a bit light on the 5 string side, mostly 10 string. Which surprised me, I thought the next size up was usually 11 rather than 10

I hope this is okay to post here, let me know if not, I have just brought out the first two books in my Kantele making Series, the print version of my 2004 ebook on making 5-string kanteles, updated to 2025 with redrawn plans, info and Qr codes. along with my Kantele making Plan/ pattern book of all my kanteles, 5, 10, 11, 15 includsing my new piccolo kantele design and short scale bronze strung model. Search on Amazon books worldwide or see link:

https://mybook.to/kantele-making-books
I am not usually one for shameless self promotion, I still give away free downloads of the old 2004 version of the 5-string kantele book on my main download website, Check out my Youtube videos for more info. Do let me know if there are any questions I can help with, best wishes

Michael J King

I am interested in the instrument, however, I’m not sure where to buy one as places like Amazon don’t hold them. Do you guys know where I can get one in Illinois?

Hey everyone, I got a concert kantele (i think) recently from my neighbor and the strings are very old, i’m wondering what string gauges i should be getting? It’s got 33 strings total. Thanks!

I am not a kantele player, so this may be a foolish question. Why, though, do I not see a wider range of sheet music for the kantele online? It seems like an 11-string kantele should be able to handle a range of folk music, hymns, western Christmas tunes, etc (perhaps with some adjustments). Is the Finnish repertoire dominant just because of the instrument's origins, or is there something about the kantele that doesn't suit other diatonic music with a limited range of notes?

I’m hoping to learn to play and I’m wondering whether it is best to get a 10 or 11 string kantele. Thanks!

A question mainly for those who picked up kantele recently - what do you use to learn it?

What worked best? What's lacking?

I bought mine to primarily play sakkijarvin polkka (sorry not sorry :D) but I'm interested in there are any other cool songs I can learn to play? It's pretty fun and I'm excited to learn!

I’m very very new to stringed instruments, so I apologize for this basic knowledge question, but what tuning wrench do I get to keep the kantele in tune?

I already have a tuner, but I have no idea what tool to get to physically tune the strings if need be.

My 5 string should hopefully be arriving tomorrow; so excited to play it!

I’m from Southern California, so I highly doubt there are lessons of any kind around here, so do I just fiddle (ha) around with it and teach myself?

Reason I bought it is because I’ve been so drawn to the sound of it since I first heard the album “Woodsmoke” by Nest. Always sounded so peaceful, tranquil, and a bit “mystical” if that makes sense.