Flishorn

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating
(1 customer review)

6 000 kr

Reed horn (flishorn) of the traditional type. The flishorns I make have a traditional juniper reed on the side of the horn, and 7–8 finger holes (depending on size).


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Reed horn (flishorn) of the traditional type. The flishorns I make have a traditional juniper reed on the side of the horn, and 7–8 finger holes (depending on size).

If you have specific preferences, such as a desired fundamental tone or other details, you can include them as a comment with your order. The horns and their sound are shaped by the nature of the goat, but I will do my best to accommodate your wishes.

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The Flishorn is a variation of the bukkehorn, where a wooden reed is responsible for sound production. Historically, this version has been most common in the regions of Trøndelag and the eastern parts of Innlandet and is considered the oldest Norwegian shepherd’s clarinet. Flishorns typically have more finger holes than their lip-vibrated counterpart, with 5–7 holes.

Listen to flishorn in action:

1 review for Flishorn

  1. Rated 5 out of 5

    Adrien Karlen – Troubadour -

    Thank you for creating this instrument 🙂 It’s a lovely instrument with a beautiful sound!!! Well done on this creation!!!

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Frequently asked questions

What is a flishorn?

The flishorn (also known as tungehorn) is an ancient Norwegian folk instrument. The reed — flisa, or the tongue — sits at the blowing end, vibrating and producing the tone on the clarinet principle. The oldest dated flishorn in Norway is from 1693 (Vågå, Gudbrandsdalen), so the instrument is likely older than the European clarinet.

How does the reed work?

The reed is a thin sliver of juniper, custom-fitted to the shape of each horn. It's fastened to the blowing end with waxed linen thread, and vibrates when you blow — this vibration is what creates the tone.

How long does a reed last?

Reeds are consumables. With regular use, a single reed can last for months or years. I sell semi-finished reeds that you can fit to your own horn — see the product Reeds for flishorn / tungehorn.

What's the difference between the flishorn and bukkehorn?

The flishorn has a reed at the blowing end and works on the clarinet principle — sharp and piercing sound. The bukkehorn is a lip-blown horn played with the lips, producing a softer, trumpet-like sound.

Is the flishorn difficult to learn?

It's easier than the bukkehorn to get a sound from, because the reed generates the tone for you. That makes the flishorn a good starter instrument for anyone wanting to explore Norwegian folk music.

How do I make a reed for my flishorn?

The reed is carved from juniper and shaped to match the length and form of your horn. It's a craft that takes a bit of practice, but an important part of owning a flishorn — since reeds are consumables. I've written a thorough step-by-step article with photos: How to make a reed for the flishorn.

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