Apurahat ja residenssipaikat

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Forgotten Bagpipes – The Redesign of the Säkkipilli in Finland

Hakemuksen tiivistelmä

My research focuses on rebuilding the forgotten Säkkipilli and on reviving the Finnish piping tradition. The core research output will be a final (modern) version of a Säkkipilli, 100% handmade by myself, and its presentation in public music recitals, played by both me and some of the most accomplished Finnish musicians. Because the Finnish bagpipe got extinct, it is essential to rescue the ancestral Säkkipilli, before redesigning it to suit the needs of the professional musicians of today. This historical Säkkipilli will be suited for musicians interested in historical music practices. This research milestone is extremely important. It will be the reference that will allow further improvements aimed at modernizing the Säkkipilli. The final 21th-century version of the Säkkipilli will be designed and produced, as well as an adapted version for teaching young children. My research has two main sides: the doctoral work, conducted inside the Sibelius Academy, with artistic & academic goals; work in the community, to make people active participants in the evolution of the Säkkipilli. Important research often stays closed inside the universities. I created an open platform where people can help and be a part of the Säkkipilli revival. The “Finn’d it initiative” (www.Finndit.org) is collecting all evidence of the presence of the Säkkipilli and bringing international awareness to piping in Finland. This platform divulges my research data, engages the Finnish people, and promotes 3 main pillars: FIND IT: Survey all evidence of the presence of piping in Finland. BUILD IT: Build Säkkipilli prototypes, that musicians can play, listen to, and discuss “what makes it Finnish”. PLAY IT: Bring awareness to piping in Finland & teach a young generation of musicians how to express themselves with this wonderful instrument.

My doctoral research “Forgotten Bagpipes - The Redesign of the Säkkipilli in Finland” is a 4-year project to be concluded in JUN 2024, developed at the Sibelius Academy.
The Kone Foundation has supported my research during the 2nd year of study, by awarding a working grant and supporting our Research laboratory rent expense.

Bringing back the extinct Sakkipili to Finland is an ongoing effort, with invaluable data still being collected in both the Nordic and Baltic neighbouring countries.

I have been surveying all the bagpipes in museums in Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia. All the bagpipes (over 50 so far) have been photographed and precisely measured. I produce 3D digital models and technical drawings. Using 3D printing technology is used to produce precise replicas of these silent ancient musical instruments, that can then be played and researched further.

My research is supervised by three PhD in Northern Ireland, England, and Austria, and hosted at the Folk Music Department of the Sibelius Academy MuTri Doctoral school, under the direction of Prof. Kristiina Ilmonen.

A network of supportive researchers has been growing as a direct result of my efforts, and Finland is increasingly being addressed as a piping nation at international forums.

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