Adam Edwards

Introducing the Norwegian Fiddle

Session: The evolution of the Hardanger fiddle began from the Indian trade routes which made their way through to Holland. Norwegian traders came to Holland, saw the Indian sitar and were inspired by its sympathetic strings to tinker with their violins – what emerged from their experiments was the Hardanger fiddle! Now deeply embedded in Norwegian tradition, it is used for ceremonies, traditional gatherings, and the Norwegian military do vigorous dances accompanied by the tunes of the Hardanger fiddle.
Adam Edwards presents his own modern Australian interpretation of the Hardanger fiddle that is suitable for players with traditional and classical violin skills. The lions-head scroll of the Hardanger fiddle is a representation of St Olav, the patron saint of Norway.

Adam Edwards was born and raised in Launceston, Tasmania. He trained as a navy clearance diver, and six years later as an architectural draftsman. While living in Sydney, he began to make furniture and learnt antique restoration. In 1995 he began violin making, initially with considerable input and assistance from John Godschall Johnson.

After moving to Hobart in 1998, Adam met Douglas Finlay (Newark trained) who has mentored him for many years. Adam has studied Finlay’s approach to violin making which involves the adjustment of the frequencies of the violin, combined with a varnishing process that enhances these qualities.

Adam also builds Norwegian Hardanger fiddles, which have 5 sympathetic strings running underneath the fingerboard that resonate when the top strings are played.

Adam was awarded a Churchill fellowship in 2013 to study the traditional making of Norwegian Hardanger fiddles. Since returning he has developed the idea to build a fiddle with sympathetic strings that a classical musician could use to pursue their interest in playing Scandinavian folk music, in essence, providing a bridge between two worlds.

Adam is also heavily influenced by the Japanese culture and approach to fine craftsmanship, which includes building Japanese-style Tiny Houses and the end blown flute called the Shakuhachi.