The kraptr of aging folk musicians : Mental practice for the future

Summary, in English

This chapter rests on participant observation and interviews from Malungs folkhögskola, the distance education “Folkmusik fiol”, led by the doyen of Swedish folk music pedagogy, Jonny Soling. With his life-long experience of fiddle education for grown-ups, Soling has unique knowledge of holistic fiddle didactics. At the age of 73, he still attracts course participants from all ages and all parts of Sweden, and many of these students are aged 60 plus. What is it that inspires these aging folk musicians to invest time and energy in challenging further training? What are the characteristics of the kraptr in folk music and of Jonny Soling? In the invitation to contribute to this book, Magne Espeland introduces an expanded notion of craft, giving space to a multiplicity of interpretations. The shared continental and old English use is associated with power, physical strength and skill. With the old Norse kraptr, virtue is added to the list. In this chapter, another dimension is suggested, opening up for ethical dimensions of sharing knowledge, including the experience that comes with age.