Birch trumpet
Encyclopedia
The birch trumpet is a type of natural trumpet
made of spruce covered with birch bark
, native to Sweden. Even cruder and less durable versions were made of plain birch bark. They are associated with the early European Chalet culture, where it was presumably used to intimidate predators, frighten supernatural enemies, and convene council meetings.
The näverlur, as a natural horn, thus has no fingerholes or valves. Normally, a player can play 10 tones from the natural harmonic scale on the instrument. In the modern era, the näverlur is primarily a cultural curiosity, used for the occasional fanfare.
The oldest recovered näverlur in Sweden dates back to the 10th century, and resembles earlier bronze trumpets. Two manufacturers currently building näverlur are Lisa Byers Runberg in Alunda
and Jan Nordkvist in Tällberg
.
Natural trumpet
A natural trumpet is a valveless brass instrument that is able to play the notes of the harmonic series.-History:The natural trumpet was used as a military instrument to facilitate communication ....
made of spruce covered with birch bark
Birch bark
Birch bark or birchbark is the bark of several Eurasian and North American birch trees of the genus Betula.The strong and water-resistant cardboard-like bark can be easily cut, bent, and sewn, which made it a valuable building, crafting, and writing material, since pre-historic times...
, native to Sweden. Even cruder and less durable versions were made of plain birch bark. They are associated with the early European Chalet culture, where it was presumably used to intimidate predators, frighten supernatural enemies, and convene council meetings.
The näverlur, as a natural horn, thus has no fingerholes or valves. Normally, a player can play 10 tones from the natural harmonic scale on the instrument. In the modern era, the näverlur is primarily a cultural curiosity, used for the occasional fanfare.
The oldest recovered näverlur in Sweden dates back to the 10th century, and resembles earlier bronze trumpets. Two manufacturers currently building näverlur are Lisa Byers Runberg in Alunda
Alunda
Alunda is a locality situated in Östhammar Municipality, Uppsala County, Sweden with 2,224 inhabitants in 2005....
and Jan Nordkvist in Tällberg
Tällberg
Tällberg is a locality situated in Leksand Municipality, Dalarna County, Sweden with 637 inhabitants in 2005....
.