Remember the classic Nokia ringtone? Many might not, but a TikToker recently played it on her guitar, bringing back memories of simpler times in the early 2000s. Back then, there were no worries about electricity bills, the latest Apple updates, or Elon Musk’s tweets.
In October last year, Alexandra Whittingham shared a video on her TikTok page where she played the iconic Nokia ringtone on her guitar. She also revealed its origin.
The ringtone, known as ‘Grande Valse,’ comes from a solo guitar piece by Francisco Tárrega titled Gran Vals, composed in 1902. The familiar tune is only a few notes from Tárrega’s piece, instantly recognisable to anyone who owned a Nokia brick phone.
The original Nokia ringtone, known as the Nokia tune, is derived from a piece of solo guitar music called Gran Vals, composed by Francisco Tárrega in 1902.
📹 alexaguitarist
pic.twitter.com/Vfw8PKFV87— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) October 7, 2024
Whittingham’s rendition struck a nostalgic chord with her followers. One TikTok user commented, “The Nokia ringtone is so iconic that to me it feels so disconnected from the original piece.” Another joked, “I’m watching my phone and just checked my pocket.”
Other users expressed their appreciation: “Thanks for sharing this masterpiece,” and “I learned classical guitar since I was eight, played Tárrega, and I was today years old when I found out about this.” Another added, “Wow, this is so beautiful! It’s sad they ruined the original track because now everybody says the Nokia piece does not fit in.”
Interestingly, one of the reasons for using Tárrega’s music was the absence of copyright issues. According to Classic FM, “Nokia needed a soundbite free of expensive copyright complications, and European law makes music available to the public 70 years after the composer’s death. Tárrega, who died 84 years earlier, was the perfect choice.”
The ringtone debuted in a 1992 advert for the Nokia 1011 phone. Seven years later, it was renamed the Nokia tune and became a piece of technology history.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Origin Of The Iconic Nokia Ringtone explores how Francisco Tárrega’s “Gran Vals” inspired by Chopin’s “Grande Valse Brillante” became Nokia’s iconic ringtone due to copyright considerations.(read more)
- Quartz: The article explores the selection of Nokia’s iconic ringtone, “Gran Vals,” and its evolution into a widely recognized earcon, highlighting engineering and marketing choices.(read more)
- Classic FM explores the origin of the Nokia ringtone, tracing it to Francisco Tárrega’s 1902 guitar piece ‘Gran Vals,’ influenced by Chopin, and its subsequent global popularity.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Where did the original Nokia ringtone come from?
The Nokia ringtone, called ‘Grande Valse,’ is from Francisco Tárrega’s solo guitar piece ‘Gran Vals’ (1902).
Who played the Nokia ringtone on guitar on TikTok?
Alexandra Whittingham played the Nokia ringtone on her guitar on TikTok.
Why did Nokia choose Tárrega’s music for their ringtone?
Nokia chose Tárrega’s music because it was free of expensive copyright complications, as he had died over 70 years earlier.
When was the Nokia ringtone first heard?
The Nokia ringtone was first heard in a 1992 advert for the Nokia 1011 phone.
What was the impact of Alexandra Whittingham playing the Nokia ringtone on TikTok?
Her playing sparked nostalgia and various reactions among TikTok users, reminiscing about the early 2000s.