I am the author of this website, Ritva Koistinen-Armfelt, lecturer in kantele music. I created the website to be a guide and a source of inspiration for kantele students and teachers, as well as for people who play kantele as a hobby.  Students of kantele pedagogy can find learning material here. The website can also provide fascinating perspectives for parents of children who play kantele.

My approach to kantele playing techniques is based on art music and my long-term work with the concert kantele. This approach is based on embodiedness and motility. Being able to fully sense movement is essential. The senses of touch and movement guide the production of relaxed movement and, with the sense of hearing, create possibilities for different nuances of timbre. The sense of sight helps to accurately direct movements when playing.

If necessary, I recommend you visit the Terminology page first. I also recommend that you study the section with Support muscle exercises.

I want to encourage kantele players to find natural and relaxed movements that are suitable for their arms and hands. This page can be used to practise this. The website is complemented by my book on corporeality and touch in kantele playing, Kehollisuus ja kosketus kanteleensoitossa (in Finnish). It is available online at Kehollisuus ja kosketus kanteleensoitossa.