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Paper short abstract:

Langspil, an Icelandic drone zither, was part of the countries' farming culture until it fell into obscurity at the beginning of the 20th century. A century later elementary students are at the centre of a research where langspils are being remade with digital technology at the local Fab Lab.

Paper long abstract:

Langspil is an Icelandic folk instrument of the drone zither family. The oldest written sources date back to the 18th century but the instrument seems to have gained popularity in pre-industrial farming communities during the 19th century. In the beginning of the 20th century the langspil fell almost into complete obscurity. Over a century later, langspil making and playing has been gaining interest within a small group of professional and amateur musicians in Iceland.

In 1981 ethnomusicologist David G. Woods made the first scientific research on langspil. In his report, where 21 old langspils in museums and private collections were examined, he also put forward ideas on the uses of the instrument in the elementary school system. Forty years later Woods' ideas are being materialised in an ongoing ethnomusicological research at the Flóaskóli Elementary School in South-Iceland.

In collaboration with music and craft teachers, students design their individual langspil, which is then laser printed in plywood at the local Fab Lab (Fabrication Laboratory). Once students finish assembling the instrument, painting it and strings have been attached, music lessons can commence. Students both learn to play the instrument and use it as an accompaniment for singing. As a drone instrument it is ideal for elementary students where little or no musical training is required for an effective accompaniment.

It is a multidisciplinary empirical project with a strong focus on craft and music. It also touches on many ethnological topics, such as popular culture, place and locality and cultural heritage.