The nyckelharpa is a traditional Swedish string instrument that looks like a cross between a violin and a hurdy-gurdy. It is played with a short bow, but instead of using fingers to press strings against a neck, the player uses wooden keys. Each key is attached to a 'tangent' that, when pressed, reaches under the string and shortens it to produce a specific pitch. A modern nyckelharpa usually has 16 strings: 3 melody strings, 1 drone string, and 12 sympathetic strings. The sympathetic strings are not played but vibrate on their own to create a rich, echoing resonance. This instrument has been part of Swedish folk music for over 600 years, with depictions found in church murals dating back to the 14th century. It remains a vibrant part of Nordic culture today.