Crafting Traditional Instruments

In earlier times a lot of instruments were crafted at home, and usually by the musician himself. More complicated instruments, like accordion, fiddle or zither could be bought in a city. But there have always been good local craftsmen in Estonia whose instruments one could (and still can) purchase.

Today people usually purchase their instruments (either in a shop or from a craftsman), but recently it has grown popular to craft your own instrument. Those interested attend certain instructive camps where they learn the trade from a master. The most popular instruments thus made are small kannel, bagpipe or jew's harp.

The easiest instrument to make that also children can manage, is roopill (reed pipe). Some general instructions are given on the photos.