The most common instruments which are used in traditional Norwegian folk music are the ordinary violin, the hardingfele, and various types of accordions. Less common but increasingly popular are the munnharpe, langeleik, seljefløyte, tussefløyte and sjøfløyte, lur, and bukkehorn.

Munnharpe (jaw harp or jew's harp)

The munnharpe is found in various forms over large parts of the world. In Norway the oldest harps originate as far back probably as the 11th century.


The langeleik is a dulcimer or zither-type instrument with a long narrow rectangular wooden box and a varying number of strings.

Seljefløyte (willow flute)

The seljefløyte is between 40 and 80 centimeters in length, and it is played by blowing into a hole in the side of the flute.

Sjøfløyte and tussefløyte

The sjøfløyte and tussefløyte are special Norwegian variants of the recorder or blokkføyte.

Bukkehorn (ram or goat horn)

The bukkehorn is an instrument type which is found over large parts of the world.
It was traditionally used on high mountain summer dairy farms by herders at least since medieval times.

Lur (alphorn)

This instrument is made from two hollowed-out wooden pieces which are fastened together and twined with birch bark. The lur can be between 1 and 2 meters long, and is played using the same technique as for a brass instrument.

Accordion family

The accordion came to Norwegian rural areas around 1860, first in the form of the one-row accordion.

Ordinary violin

It is not known how long the ordinary fiddle or violin has been in common use in Norway, but there is strong evidence that it has been in use since the beginning of the 1600's.


Hardanger fiddle

The hardingfele's most characteristic feature is the four or five sympathetic (resonance) strings. These run through a tunnel cut underneath the fingerboard, below the four regular bowed strings.