The musical instrument of the Yakuts is a mouthpiece. Musical instrument jew's harp: history and photos

Vargan is a widely used instrument. Its name means from the ancient Greek "mouth" (vargos), and this is not surprising, since this human "organ" takes on the most important significance during the game.

The main defining characteristics of the tool:

• plucked;
• reed.

Origin story

Usually, experts attribute the harp to the family idiophones. These tools are specific in that sound source - the body of the device itself. The “trembling” itself is carried out due to the mechanical energy that the player gives. A tightly stretched membrane or string is used. Interestingly, some researchers believe that idiophones are the oldest type of musical instruments, and we owe them the birth of a whole art direction.

Ethnologists report that such musical mechanisms were present in all world cultures and have the widest distribution, only modifications vary. Few people know that many percussion instruments can be attributed to idiophones, but drums are not suitable, since there are membranes that are the source of sound.

One can divide this family (idiophones) into the following categories:

1. drums;
2. plucked;
3. friction;
4. brass idiophones.

An interesting variety is the "eolian harp", which is driven by nature. We list some folk idiophones that were characteristic of ancient Russian culture:

• beanbag;
• ratchet;
• snaffle;
• shepherdess;
• rubel, etc.

During the appearance and distribution of all these instruments, the first models of the jew's harp began to appear. In different nations, it had its own name. Initially, auxiliary materials were used for manufacturing - wood, bone, etc. Then, with the advent of metal, metal harps appeared, which began to be made from a wide variety of alloys in order to obtain a specific sound. The metal frame began to be called an arc, and in general the tool began to be attributed to a new class - arcuate.

There were also all-alloy models:

• copper;
• bronze;
• iron;
• silver, etc.

Types of vargans

In fact, experts divide all organs into two large types: lamellar and arcuate. On the territory of the CIS, only the second type can be found, the first is practically not common. The plate is a plate, narrow and thin, into which the tongue is inserted, right in the middle. It has little popularity because it is an eastern, Vietnamese variety, where it is called “dan mine”.

The arched harp is found both in the domestic space and in European countries. This is a bent wire, the base into which the tongue is inserted, which has a special hook at the end for convenience in the game. Otherwise, such a tool is called arc or forged. There are jew's harps in which there are several tongues, first of all, it is worth mentioning the Chinese - "kosuyan" and the Yakut "ikki".

Let's try to list the ethnic vargans:

• Cambodian (angkut);
• Altai (komus);
• Bashkir;
• Tatar (kubyz);
• Belorussian;
• Nepali (Murchunga);
• Hungarian (dorombe);
• Russian (zubanka), etc.

Vargan design

The design of the jew's harp is extremely simple. Perhaps that is why it is called the simplest, most primitive instrument. Forged body and a tongue fixed in it, which is removed by hand so that it begins to vibrate. In wind harmonics, the principle is similar, but there the reed is bent by passing a stream of air through it. Of course, each type of ethnic organ has its own design features, which ultimately affects the sound - it can be both “heavy” and completely “thin”. Some professionals can recognize individual types of jew's harp by ear.

sound

Despite its structural simplicity, vargan has a unique sound, while for many it seems unnatural, computer, electronic. The instrument is considered self-sounding. Perform traditional melodies on it, as well as some dance rhythms that were used to create a ritual atmosphere in antiquity. Now these vibrating sounds have been studied and the researchers note that the jew's harp has a rich timbre and range of sound production, and the frequency spread is from the lowest to the highest 16-20.000 Hz. Now in many countries of the world there is a revival of this instrument, it is included in all kinds of ethnic music ensembles, and is also used as a percussion supplement.

There are precedents for using the jew's harp as a solo instrument. The jew's harp is inexpensive, so everyone can afford to have this simple device at home. The extraction of sound occurs through the hand, and the instrument is fixed in the mouth. There are many different techniques that allow you to achieve amazing results. The specific sound of the jew's harp is highly valued at the present time, but it cannot be tuned or changed; this requires the use of other materials for the body and tongue. In general, the instrument deserves the highest praise, and is rightfully called the "progenitor of all musical instruments." On the net you can find many tutorial videos for beginners that will give you the basics for a primitive game.

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Video

The Yakut khomus (vargan) is an ancient musical instrument of the peoples of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), whose age is more than 5 thousand years. It is distinguished by a characteristic "cosmic" sound: since ancient times it has been considered an instrument of the Yakut shamans. The Yakut khomus still retains its sacred meaning and is used in various rituals. Therefore, in Yakutia it is not just a tool, but a real symbol of the national culture of the Sakha people. Local craftsmen carried the secrets of making sonorous, colorful jew's harps through the centuries. Despite its small size, it allows you to extract mesmerizing sounds that imitate the sounds of nature.

Khomus - musical instrument

There are several varieties of khomus, a Yakut musical instrument. In ancient times, the Yakut harp was made of wood or bone, and the prototype was a tree broken by lightning. When the wind gusts, it made mysterious sounds. In the old days, such a tree was considered sacred and its chips were carefully stored.

Today, the traditional Yakut khomus is made of iron. It has a horseshoe shape, consists of a rim and two tapering "cheeks". From the middle of the rim, a steel tongue begins, passing between the "cheeks". Where the "cheeks" end, the tongue is bent, forming a knee and a curved tip. This vibrating plate creates an unusual crackling sound. The musical instrument khomus can have from one to four reeds. A single-reed jew's harp plays on one note. The vibration of the tongue is created by breathing and articulation. Rhythm is no less important - it depends on the technique and skill of the player.

The mystique of the Yakut khomus lies in the fact that full concentration is required to play it. Only in this case is the harmony of sound achieved, and the music is perceived not only by the ears, but by the whole body. The jew's harp is also used for self-contemplation: when the frequency of air vibrations coincides with the vibrations of the human body, complete unity with it is achieved.

The Yakut khomus is a shamanic instrument. In their rituals, shamans used mainly instruments with a low, booming sound. It was believed that the sound of the Yakut musical instrument khomus is woven from cosmic vibrations and is an instrument that connects a person with the upper world. Vargan was often decorated with national ornaments. Some sacred meanings of patterns on the Yakut khomus have not yet been unraveled.

It's no secret that many of you would like to learn how to play the khomus. Playing the khomus is always an improvisation that reflects the internal state of the player. However, it is necessary to master the basic skills so that the sounds of the jew's harp merge into a harmonious melody.

Holding the Yakut khomus correctly is not so difficult as it seems at first glance. With one hand, you need to take it by the ring, firmly press the outer cheeks to the teeth. The tongue should pass freely between the teeth without touching them. Sounds are extracted by vibrations of the tongue: for this, they beat the index finger on its bent tip.

Basic tongue strike techniques

To do this, you need to rotate with a relaxed brush, touching the tongue in front with a bent index finger. It is necessary to control the strength and tempo of the strike depending on the rhythm. You can hit your finger on the tongue and with the reverse movement of the brush - you get a reverse blow.

Breathing technique when playing the khomus

Breathing plays an important role in the formation of the melody. If you slowly and carefully inhale the air into yourself, the sound of the jew's harp will lengthen. Exhalation does not affect the sound, but, in combination with proper inhalation, it increases the strength of the tongue vibration. Additional possibilities are provided by the use of aperture. If you “pump” air with it, you can get a stronger and deeper sound.

Music control

The sound can be changed using the organs of speech: the vibration of the tongue, the movements of the lips. So, if you wrap your lips around the body, the sound will intensify.

The game on the Yakut khomus is available to everyone. The main thing is to understand how to play the khomus, train systematically, be persistent and have a great desire to master the jew's harp.

The sound of the Yakut khomus in terms of timbre and sound is in many respects in tune with the national manner of singing. After all, throat singing, often found among the peoples of Siberia, has much in common with playing the Yakut khomus. Particular attention should be paid to the interweaving of speech into the music, when the khomus player, as it were, sings through a jew's harp. The khomus player who has merged with the jew's harp becomes for a while a musical instrument.

For the Yakuts, playing the khomus is a deeply personal, chamber action. Yakut shamans used it to heal people and exorcise evil spirits. Also, this instrument often accompanied love confessions, when the most intimate feelings were expressed through it. The Yakut khomus was especially popular among women - there was even a special genre of khomus songs. After the revolution, interest in the instrument weakened, it was even banned due to associations with shamanism, but recently this folk tradition has been revived. Often, the masters conduct training, where everyone is told how to play the Yakut khomus.

Khomus Museum

There is the only khomus museum in the world. It contains more than 2 thousand exhibits that tell about this amazing instrument.

Among them are Indian, Mongolian, Tuvan khomuses and many other national instruments. carefully preserves the spiritual heritage of various peoples. It hosts conferences, lectures, meetings, excursions aimed at preserving and developing the instrument.

Video about khomus

Watch the video and see how beautiful the Yakut khomus sounds in a modern performance by the khomus master Olga Podluzhnaya. Rhythmic playing on the Yakut khomus simply fascinates a person:

Photos of Yakut khomuses

Vargan / Khomuz / Kubyz / Catfish / Drymba

Vargan(from Latin "organum", Greek "organon" - musical instrument)distributed throughout the world, has many modificationsand over forty different titles.

Most used names jew's harp: komuz(in Altai), khomus(in Yakutia), drymba(in Ukraine, in Belarus), kubyz(in Bashkiria), zubanka(in Russia), shon-kobyz(In Kazakhstan), temir-komuz(in Kyrgyzstan, where the word "temir", which means iron, distinguishes the jew's harp from the string instrument komuz). *

In America, the jew's harp is called "Jewish lira" - Jew's harp (Jew harp, Jew's harp, Juice harp). In fact, the Americans themselves cannot explain why a jew's harp - and suddenly a Jewish one. This tool has no connection with the Jews. Most musicologists regard the word as an error in a 19th century dictionary. Most likely, the name meant Jaws harp - jaw lyre.

In different countries, the jew's harp is called: Gewgaw in Britain, Maultrommel(maultrommel, oral drum) in Germany, Mukkuri or Koukin in Japan, Kumbing or kubing in the Philippines Scacciapensieri in Italy Munnharpa or Munnharpe in Norway, Guimbarde in France, Genggong in Bali Dan Moi in Vietnam Kou Xiang in China.

Before the advent of metal in human culture, jew's harps were made of bone and wood, but they are quite fragile. With the advent of the first forges, jew's harps began to be made of metal. However, wooden modifications of the jew's harp are still found in Eastern cultures. Wooden jew's harps are still widespread in Kyrgyzstan, Bashkiria, Japan, Mongolia and the islands of Oceania.

The earliest mention of the harp is found in ancient Roman frescoes - the image of the ancient orchestra includes a man who clearly plays the harp. In Russia, jew's harps are especially common in Yakutia, Tuva, Altai. The jew's harp is very popular in Western Ukraine, in Belarus, Moldova.

The vibrations of the jew's harp can induce a state of light controlled trance. This feature of the jew's harp is widely used in shamanic practices, both ancient and modern.

There are two types of jew's harps - lamellar and arcuate. lamellar A jew's harp is a thin, narrow wooden or bamboo, bone, less often a metal plate. Its tongue is cut out in the middle of the plate.

arcuate Vargans are forged from an iron rod, in the center of which a thin steel tongue with a hook at the end is attached. With the help of a jew's harp, you can extract only one note, but you can vary the timbre coloring of the sound very widely. The most expressive in this regard is the Yakut harp.

The jew's harp consists of a fixed body and an oscillating tongue. The case has the shape of a tuning fork with a handle and temples, between which the tongue passes. All together forms an oscillatory circuit with a system of resonators. Vibrations are created by pulling the tongue. They are transmitted to the body, its arches, and through them to the upper and lower jaws of the musician. The oral cavity and lungs play the role of high- and low-frequency resonators.

The Vargan was very popular in Russia, and it was mainly played by women here.

Under Stalinism, the jew's harp was banned as a harmful relic of the past, in part because of its close association with shamanism. Despite this, the older generations managed to preserve the traditions of playing the jew's harp and pass them on to their children and grandchildren.

Vargan was also common in Europe. In the Middle Ages, young people often used this instrument for special purposes - for example, to attract the attention of pretty girls. In the era of romanticism, the jew's harp, with its exotic sound, conquered secular salons. Since the Middle Ages, Austria has been considered the center for the manufacture of this instrument and playing it.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the German master I.G. Scheibler created a new concert instrument based on several khomuses and called it aura. The aura consisted of a metal disk with khomus fixed on it, creating a complete chromatic scale. It was possible to play very complex works from the classical repertoire on the aura, but the instrument did not take root. The invention of Friedrich Buschmann turned out to be more successful. In 1821, this Berlin master made the firstharmonica . It was based on a row of small jew's harps lined up according to the height of the sound. A little later, the harmonica is supplied with bellows for air supply and receives accordion And accordion. After the distribution of these instruments, the jew's harp in European countries is completely forgotten

The world's largest khomuz museum exists in Yakutsk, Sakha.

Video example of playing the jew's harp, khomus, komuz, catfish, drymba in the Toke-Cha composition:

Varga n(from Old Slavic varga- mouth, mouth, lip), the Russian name for a reed folk instrument.

Vargan has over forty different names. Most used names jew's harp: komuz(in Altai), khomus(in Yakutia), drymba(in Ukraine, in Belarus), kubyz(in Bashkiria), zubanka(in Russia), shon-kobyz(In Kazakhstan), temir-komuz(in Kyrgyzstan, where the word "temir", which means iron, distinguishes the jew's harp from the string instrument komuz).

Refers to self-sounding reed musical instruments.

Under different names, a similar instrument and its modifications are found among most peoples of the world. Vargan is one of the oldest musical instruments; its exact origin has not been established.

Some of the names encountered are: shankobyz, aura, komus, komuz, khomus, doromb, drymba, zubanka, vasang, morchang, pymel, vyvko, tumra, kubyz, tebir-komus, temir-komuz, vanyar, maultrommel, kousyan, dan mine.

When playing, the jew's harp is pressed to the teeth or to the lips, the oral cavity serves as a resonator. Changing the articulation of the mouth and breathing makes it possible to change the timbre of the instrument. In addition, new shades in the sound are introduced by changes in the position of the diaphragm, numerous pharyngeal, laryngeal, lingual, labial and other methods of sound extraction.

Usually made of metal or wood. Before the advent of metal jew's harps made of bone and wood, but they are quite fragile. With the advent of the first forges jew's harps began to be made of metal. However, in Eastern cultures, wooden modifications are still found. jew's harp. Wooden jew's harps are still widespread in Kyrgyzstan, Bashkiria, Japan, and the islands of Oceania.

On the territory of Russia, the culture of harp music is especially developed in Altai, in Bashkiria (see kubyz), in Tuva and in Yakutia. On the territory of the former USSR, jew's harps are most widely distributed in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

vibrations jew's harp can induce a state of light controlled trance. This feature jew's harp widely used in shamanic practices, both ancient and modern.

In different countries, the jew's harp is called: Gewgaw in Britain, Maultrommel (maultrommel, mouth drum) in Germany, Mukkuri in Japan, Kumbing or kubing in the Philippines, Scacciapensieri in Italy, Munnharpa or Munnharpe in Norway, Guimbarde in France, Genggong in Bali, Dan Moi in Vietnam, Kou Xiang in China.

The name of khomus and its varieties among the peoples of Europe and Asia (table)

Nationality

local name for jew's harp

Production material

Altaians

Temir-komus (komos), kobys-tyunur

Metal

Bashkirs

Agach-kubys (kymyz) Temir-kubyz

Wood Metal

Belarusians

Drymba, drumlya, organ, vorgan, vigran

Metal

Buryats

Metal

Hungarians

Doromba

Metal

Italians

Scaccia pencieri, maranzano

Metal

Kazakhs

Komyz Temir-komyz

Wood Metal

Pymel

Bone, wood

Kyrgyz

Temir-komuz (komus)

Metal

Chinese

Wood (bamboo)

Koryaks

Vanni-yay

Bone, wood

Latvians

Vargas

Metal

Lithuanians

Bandurelis, bandurka, sheyvale

Metal

Tumran Suup-turman

Tree Bone

Mari

Kovyzh (komyzh), kabas, kabash, umsha-kovyzh

Metal

Moldovans

Drymba, doromba

Metal

Nanais

Kungha Pangapoan

Metal Metal (tin)

Negidals

Konkihi

Wood

Maultrommel

Metal

Wood

Kanga Vych-ranka Kungahkei

Wood Metal (copper) Bone

Metal

Kungan

Wood

Russians

Harp, toothbrush

Metal

Selkups

Kyzyl-pynyr, Kyzyl-al-pynyr Pol-pynyr

Metal Wood

Tajiks

Chang-kobus, temir-chang, changi zanona

Metal

Tatars

Temir-kubys, kymyz

Metal

Tuvans Turkmens

Demir-khomus Kuluzun-khomus Iyash-khomus, charty-khomus

Metal Wood (bamboo) Wood

Turkmens

Metal

Kongkoy

Metal

Uzbeks

Chang-kobuz (kavuz), temir-chang

Metal

Ukrainians

Drymby, drumblya, organ, vorgan

Metal

Metal

Filipinos

cubing

Wood (bamboo)

Tumra, tomra

Bone, wood

Chuvash

Varam-tuna, kupas, palnay, Varkhan

Metal

Vanni Yayar

Bone, wood

Evenki

Kengipkavun, Kongipkavun, Pangipkavun Purgin-kavun

Metal Metal Wood

Kunkon

Wood, bone, metal

Estonians

Parmupill, cannapil

Metal

Khomuz, hamis

Metal

How to play the jew's harp

Press the base tightly against the teeth, so that a small gap remains between the teeth, into which the movable tongue will enter. Then pull the tongue away from you with your thumb or forefinger. We let go ... and ... in the teeth! ... Make sure that the tongue does not touch the teeth. The sound effect occurs due to the creation of a resonant circuit in the mouth, bones of the head, larynx. The instrument itself does not sound.

By changing the volume of the resonant circuit, we achieve different timbre colors. The pitch of the sound is determined by the size of the tongue and base, so it is constant. So don't try to play the melody. Music is obtained only through timbre play.

There are special sets of jew's harps of different pitches.

Hello dear friends.

Each nation has its own traditional music - folklore, which is an integral part of folk art. Today we will tell you about the motives of the Republic of Buryatia and present Buryat folk instruments. You can learn a lot of interesting things about them, and pictures with names will help you.

A little about the musicality of the population

Throughout history, the musical culture of the Buryats arose under the influence of different parts of the world - from Central Asia to the Far East. Musical experts note that local motifs are close to the music of the Mongols, Tuvans, Kalmyks and other peoples of Altai.

The ancient types of music of Buryatia are in close contact with cattle breeding (playing the pipes), with ritual worship of the gods and shamanic traditions.

The folk style of singing does not differ in dynamic shades. The songs are sung "at the top of their lungs" with an open and strong sound. This is explained by the fact that for a long time the Buryats played music in the open steppe air, where it was necessary to sing the wind and space. Shepherds sang such songs. Buryat motifs are also performed, which the people borrowed from.

The first recordings of folk music were collected in 1852 by Johann Gmelin, a German naturalist who served in the Russian Empire and traveled through the Urals and Siberia.

Epic genre and morin khur

There are several genres in the folklore of the country:

• household,
• cult,
• ritual,
• historical,
• epic,
• lyrical.

The legends of the people about the heroes - bators sound original. Performers of the epic genre are called uligers. Until now, in distant parts of the country, you can enjoy the songs of the elders. Of particular interest is their musical instrument khur (morinkhur).

It is string-bowed, trapezoidal in shape with a neck, the neck of which is decorated in the form of a horse's head. Why this particular animal? The fact is that the sound of morin khur is very similar to the neighing of a horse. The instrument is two-stringed and consists of a "male" string, which is made from one hundred and thirty hairs of a horse and a "female" mare's tail. In the Eastern tradition, these are symbols of a man and a woman.

The strings are not plucked, but clamped with the nails of the index and middle fingers, their outer part. The bow is held with the right hand. The khur is played in a sitting position. It is predominantly a male instrument, although it is also played by women. It is used both solo and in accompaniment.

The khur is supposed to have arrived in the country with Marco Polo in 1275. It was a gift to him from the rulers of the then Yuan Dynasty..

Strings

Another stringed folk instrument the locals are proud of is the chanza. It is similar in shape to khur, but it can also be trapezoidal, with a neck and neck. It has three strings that are plucked. Chanza makes a peculiar rustling and rattling sound.

It often sounds in a symphony orchestra, some composers use chanza as an accompaniment to opera because of its unusual timbre. Such a solo of the "stringed beauty" can be heard in Zhigzhit Batuev's ballet "In the Name of Love".

In Russia, the chanza was reconstructed by adding a fourth string.

Another plucked instrument is very reminiscent of the Slavic gusli - iochin. Strings are stretched over the body, which are struck with sticks made of wood, reed or bamboo. Modern composers can also use the keyboard on the desktop. It is used mostly in an orchestra or ensemble.

Woodwinds

The Buryats are famous for their ability to play wind instruments. An ancient representative of those is the limbe, it looks like a flute. This is a bamboo tube, the upper end of which is closed with a cork made of wood. It sounds strong and very poignant.

The range covers about 2 octaves. Surprisingly, this is enough to perform virtuoso melodies with a chromatic range of sounds. And to play continuously, you should breathe in a special way.

Rare playing techniquelimbe,which is called circular or closed breathing, is registered in the UNESCO list as an intangible heritage. This method is very difficult to reproduce. There are two well-known virtuosos of the game in the country - Alexander Shodonov and Battuvshin.

The sound of limbe is very similar to the music extracted from the suur instrument, only the melodies are softer and more gentle. Suur is made in the shape of a flute. Most often it can be heard in the western part of Buryatia, and in the east, most of the musicians play the limbe.

Bishkhur is a wind instrument in the form of an oboe. Historically, craftsmen made it in such a way that it made five sounds. Modern musicians can produce a chromatic range.

drums

Residents also use drums. The most common and interesting can be called melons - these are small copper discs that are strung on a metal rod and then beaten with a stick. The sound is vibrating and very gentle.

A drum called damaru, shaped like an hourglass, is peculiar. It is covered in leather on both sides. The musicians hit them with leather balls, which are attached on ropes to the drum itself. It is most often played by travelers due to its small size. Damara is also used in the ritual practices of Buddhism, you can read more about this.

Vargan

Another interesting little musical instrument that people love very much is the jew's harp - a labial plucked idiophone (the sound source is the body of the instrument itself).

To play it, changing the timbre of the melody, you need to attach it to your teeth, change articulation and breathe correctly. The jew's harp is usually made from bone, metal or wood.

Vargan modifications can be found in most countries of the world. This is one of the oldest instruments in the history of mankind. Music experts have been arguing about its exact origin for several decades. Presumably, the harp appeared five thousand years ago in South Asia and later spread to almost the entire territory of the globe.

Conclusion

We examined the most famous instruments of Buryatia. If you know any other interesting musical instruments of this republic, share with us in the comments!

And we say goodbye to you, dear readers.

See you soon!