These 5 & 10 string kanteles are built in a small shop in the woods a few miles north of Lake Superior. They are quality instruments that will bring joy to both the players and listeners. The instruments are made from a variety of woods: pine, fir, walnut, birch, and cherry. They are oiled with Danish oil, then waxed to a matte finish. None of the instruments are exactly the same.

FIVE STRING: Five string instruments are relatively easy to learn and play since they have only five notes. (Kanteles are not fretted instruments - there is only one tone per string.) The Finns and other Baltic area peoples used these beautiful sounding instruments most often to accompany singing and reciting their old poems. They have the capability for three chords: the I, the V and the IV. The tuning range is between D and G. When sent out to a purchaser, the kantele is tuned so that the strings are D,E,F#,G,A. However, a variety of tunings can be made on these instruments. The standard 5-string kantele ($135) is about 22 inches long, 2.5 inches deep at the deepest part, and about 4 inches wide at the widest part. A tuning key wrench is included with the instrument.

TEN STRING: Ten string instruments give a player the opportunity to play many more tunes than a five string. Kanteles with more strings developed as the Finns and their neighbors desired to play "European" style tunes. The 10-string kantele ($225) is about 2.5 inches deep, 28 inches long, and about 6.5 inches wide at its widest point. They are tuned in the key of D. The traditional Finnish tuning of a ten string kantele omits the seventh note of the scale. Thus the tuning is: A,B,C#,D,E,F#,G,A,B,D. A tuning key wrench is included with the instrument.

SOFT CARRYING CASES FOR 5 & 10 STRING KANTELES: Patty Chaput uses a waterproof synthetic material to make black kantele cases with a cushioning padded lining. These are available for The Kantele Shop's five and ten string instruments. Prices: Five string -$54 plus $6 shipping and handling (USA); ten string - $58 plus $6 shipping and handling (USA). Manufacture and delivery time is usually within three weeks of receipt of your payment. They are made of waterproof material that has the feel of canvas. The zipper is along the top and the full length of the case so that it is easy to take the kantele out of the bag. Patty makes them with a little extra room on the inside so you can add some additional protection if you want - but they are padded. You can order these kantele cases by email, regular mail, or telephone from The Kantele Shop.

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