- artist:Rolf K. Seldal
- featured artist:Laila Kolve, Lajla Renate Buer Storli
- release year:2007
- style(s):Ethnic, Traditional
- country:Norway
- formats:CD (Compact Disc)
- record posted by:Etnisk Musikklubb
- label:Etnisk Musikklubb
- publisher:Etnisk Musikklubb
Rolf Kristoffer Seldal(b. 1968)is a pecussionist from Bergen, Norway. Rolf received his formal education at the Grieg Academy at the University of Bergen with degrees in percussion performance, education and ethnomusicology. As a musician of
different styles, Rolf Seldal performs regularly classical, jazz and folk music. Inaddition he is widely respected as a teacher having taught at various levels within the Norwegian music school system. Since 2004 Rolf has been administrative leader and Principal of a Music and Arts School serving more than 800 students in Hordaland, Norway. In 1991 Rolf came in contact with Eirik Sundvor, the most highly regarded Norwegian folk drummer, who became Rolf’s mentor and teacher. In 2004 Rolf released the book: “Hvordan lære trdisjonelle trommeslåtter” (How to learn traditional folk drumming)published by Musikk-husets Forlag. The traditional Norwegian folk drumming is over 500 years old. Its origins as a folk instrument began in the military and later used in weddings and other ceremonial events. The drummers copied the traditional rhythms of dance, by utilizing trained techniques found in their military signals. The main musical idea is to produce a drone tremolo)under the main rhythmic theme. This technique is also found in other Norwegian folk instruments such as the Hardanger fiddle, the mouth harp, and the langelei,which is a dulcimer or zither type instrument.Traditional Norwegian drumming was common in wedding ceremonies particularly in western Norway up to the 19th century. Johannes Sundvor collected 88 different folk tunes from various wedding drummers up to the beginning of the 20th century.
His grandson Eirik Sundvor(born in 1938)is one of the two remaining folk drummers who have kept the tradition alive today.