Felyn (fell-in)

The musical instrument of the Stephese

Middengeard    Magnus    Peoples    Ananans      Felyn

A Felyn is a multi-stringed instrument that is played laying across the lap with brass spoons. The Felyn is considered to be the instrument of the Stephese, but outside the region, it is very rarely seen or heard.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The Felyn is trapezoid-shaped, with twenty-seven stings, made from beech with a hollow centre. It is played by hitting the strings with small brass hammers known as spoons. The musician, known as a felynist, sits cross-legged and lays the instrument across their knees. They hold the hammers by pinching the handle between their middle and forefingers, then use their thumbs to flick them up or down.

Manufacturing process

Kaan, the Felynist

The body of the Felyn is made from thin planks of beach wood, mitred to create the trapezoid effect. The top piece of wood has twenty-seven slots cut in, each one designed to line up beneath a string. These slots are very narrow. Particularly fine varieties of felyn have shell-work or patterned veneers decorating the tops and sides.

Brass bridges run down each side, and are strung with wire traditionally made from animal intestines. The trapezoid shape means that notes played at the wider end are lower, and notes played at the narrower end are higher.

The spoons are cast in brass, and traditionally, floral patterns are carved along the stems.

Significance

The felyn is considered the national instrument of the Ananan people. It has a naturally haunting sound with a resonating bass. Most Ananan folk songs are written to be accompanied on a Felyn. The most famous is Ni Hlu D'uma, which is played at all major events and parties.

The life of a Felynist in the Stephese is typically a comfortable one. Felyn music is highly regarded, and felynists will be called to play music regularly, with some achieving more than one gig a day.

The Felyn

Item type

Musical Instrument

Raw materials & Components

• Beech frame
• Brass bridges
• Gut wire strings
• Shell veneer (optional)

Muscian Name

Felynist

Famous song

Ni Hlu D'uma