Giga (instrument)

For the Latvian instrument, see Ģīga.

The giga was a type of bowed lyre that was very popular, especially in Norway, but also common in England, Iceland and Denmark. ^[1] It is considered to be extinct; however, there are some interesting reconstruction projects. The name does not originate from Latin, but rather derives from an Old Norse word meaning "to vibrate", "to move in a fast way". This term is also the origin of the name of the dance called Jig, which is very common in Northern Europe, especially in the UK and Ireland.^{[ citation needed ]}

Sources

• Otto Emanuel Andersson. The Shetland Gue, the Welsh Crwth, and the Northern Bowed Harp. Offprint from the Budkavlen 1954, nos. 1–4. Åbo: s.n., 1956

See also

• Ģīga

References

1. Otto Emanuel Andersson. The bowed-harp: a study in the history of early musical instruments. AMS Press, 1973. ISBN   0-404-56503-4, ISBN   978-0-404-56503-9. Pg 258.