The spilåpipa (or spelpipa, spälapipa, låtapipa) is a type of fipple flute traditional in Sweden. It is traditionally from the pastoral/transhumant cultures of that country, though more widespread in the modern era. It is originally most common in the transhumant areas, generally north of Svealand. During the 1900s, Älvdalen was a centre of conservation of spilåpipa music, and accordingly that area's name for the instrument has become the most widespread. A significant variation of the instrument is the härjedalspipa, but it has many variants. The instrument has experienced a revival in recent decades as modern folk musicians have become curious about traditional instruments.
Construction
The spilåpipa is a fipple flute into which a narrow gap is blown which directs the airstream onto a blade in the frame which produces the sound. The instrument has eight finger holes on the top, but no thumb holes. It has a modal tuning, which is not necessarily compatible with much of modern Western music. The player is easily able to affect the intonation.
