Hardanger Fiddle Design
This fiddle was built by Bevan Wulfenstejn, from Provo, Utah. ( http://www.hardingfele.com/) I designed most of the ornament for it, the inlay and the "rosing," which is the ink drawing on the body of the fiddle.  This type of fiddle originates in Norway, and in addition to being highly ornamented, they also have under strings, which reverberate when the fiddle is being played.  Music that is played on it is usually solo, and for dancing, and the design of the fiddle supports that. I had this one made to commemorate my parents, who had died within a few months of one another, in 2006 and 2007.  My mother was a visual artist and my father and I played violin together.  I liked the poetic idea of the under strings, which sing along with the notes that are being played by the bow. The designs felt very much like tattoos, I drew from many parts of my life to determine what they should be.  This also differs from the Norwegian fiddles in that I requested a regular neck, instead of the traditional one, which is shorter.  I also use regular violin strings for the playable strings. I sometimes use the traditional Norwegian tuning (ADAE), but usually keep it in standard violin tuning (GDAE).