Spelman (music)
Encyclopedia
In Swedish
, the word spelman is most often used to describe a player of Swedish folk music
. It may also be applied (with descending frequency) to folk music
ians from other Nordic countries
, from other Europe
an countries, from non-European countries, and even musicians in other genres. The meaning of the Swedish word spelman is very similar to that of the English "fiddler
," except that it is not tied to a specific instrument. Because of the commonality of the fiddle
in Swedish folk music
, the word is often translated as fiddler
in any case. Technically, the actual Swedish word for fiddler
would be "fiolspelman" (fiddle spelman).
The other common translation of this word is folk music
ian. The problem here is that the Swedish word "folkmusiker," meaning folk music
ian, was invented explicitly in opposition to the older word "spelman." Ale Möller
coined the term "folkmusiker" to refer to musicians who played Swedish folk music
professionally during the folk revival, but were not necessarily grounded in the spelman tradition.
Some have also considered the term spelman (literally "play-man") to be problematic given its implication that Swedish folk music
ians are normatively male. The term "folkmusikant" has been proposed as a gender-neutral
alternative, but has seen little traction.
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
, the word spelman is most often used to describe a player of Swedish folk music
Swedish folk music
Swedish folk music is a genre of music based largely on folkloric collection work that began in the early 19th century in Sweden. The primary instrument of Swedish folk music is the fiddle. Another common instrument, unique to Swedish traditions, is the nyckelharpa...
. It may also be applied (with descending frequency) to folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
ians from other Nordic countries
Nordic countries
The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland...
, from other Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an countries, from non-European countries, and even musicians in other genres. The meaning of the Swedish word spelman is very similar to that of the English "fiddler
Fiddler
A fiddler is a person who plays a fiddle or violin.Fiddler may also refer to:*Fabrangen Fiddlers, an American musical group founded in 1971*Tupolev Tu-28 "Fiddler", a fighter aircraft*Fiddler , a DC Comics villain...
," except that it is not tied to a specific instrument. Because of the commonality of the fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
in Swedish folk music
Swedish folk music
Swedish folk music is a genre of music based largely on folkloric collection work that began in the early 19th century in Sweden. The primary instrument of Swedish folk music is the fiddle. Another common instrument, unique to Swedish traditions, is the nyckelharpa...
, the word is often translated as fiddler
Fiddler
A fiddler is a person who plays a fiddle or violin.Fiddler may also refer to:*Fabrangen Fiddlers, an American musical group founded in 1971*Tupolev Tu-28 "Fiddler", a fighter aircraft*Fiddler , a DC Comics villain...
in any case. Technically, the actual Swedish word for fiddler
Fiddler
A fiddler is a person who plays a fiddle or violin.Fiddler may also refer to:*Fabrangen Fiddlers, an American musical group founded in 1971*Tupolev Tu-28 "Fiddler", a fighter aircraft*Fiddler , a DC Comics villain...
would be "fiolspelman" (fiddle spelman).
The other common translation of this word is folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
ian. The problem here is that the Swedish word "folkmusiker," meaning folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
ian, was invented explicitly in opposition to the older word "spelman." Ale Möller
Ale Möller
Ale Möller is a Swedish musician and composer.He was born and grew up in Scania in southern Sweden and started in music as a jazz trumpet player...
coined the term "folkmusiker" to refer to musicians who played Swedish folk music
Swedish folk music
Swedish folk music is a genre of music based largely on folkloric collection work that began in the early 19th century in Sweden. The primary instrument of Swedish folk music is the fiddle. Another common instrument, unique to Swedish traditions, is the nyckelharpa...
professionally during the folk revival, but were not necessarily grounded in the spelman tradition.
Some have also considered the term spelman (literally "play-man") to be problematic given its implication that Swedish folk music
Swedish folk music
Swedish folk music is a genre of music based largely on folkloric collection work that began in the early 19th century in Sweden. The primary instrument of Swedish folk music is the fiddle. Another common instrument, unique to Swedish traditions, is the nyckelharpa...
ians are normatively male. The term "folkmusikant" has been proposed as a gender-neutral
Gender-neutral language
Gender-neutral language, gender-inclusive language, inclusive language, or gender neutrality is linguistic prescriptivism that aims to eliminate reference to gender in terms that describe people...
alternative, but has seen little traction.