The folk musical culture of the Tatars is very distinctive. It is based on oriental intonations, with which the influence of the music of the Finno-Ugric peoples of the Volga region is harmoniously combined.
In the second half of the 19th century, such instruments as accordion, guitar, violin, mandolin entered the Tatar musical life. But there are also primordial Tatar musical instruments.
Wind instruments
The most famous of the Tatar wind instruments is the kurai. It got its name from the Tatar name of the Ural ribcarp - a plant from the umbrella family, from the stem of which it was originally made. Kurai is a longitudinal flute up to 1 m long with 4 holes on one side and one on the other. The range of the kurai reaches 3 octaves. It sounds very soft, and the performer accompanies the playing of the kurai with a throaty sound. Kurai can perform both in an ensemble and as a solo instrument.
Along with the classic kurai, there is a kopsche - kurai with 2 holes.
Another instrument, sornay, is widespread not only among the Tatars, but also among the Bashkirs. Traditionally it was made from horn and was originally used for hunting. The shepherds also played the sornay.
Stringed instruments
The Tatar string and plucked instrument is called dumbra. It is the traditional instrument of singer-storytellers. According to historical sources, the dumbra existed during the time of the Golden Horde. In the monument of Tatar literature of the 14th century. "Tulyak and Susylu" tells how the main character made a dumbra in order to conquer the heart of his beloved with songs.
The neck of the Tatar dombra is shorter than that of the Kazakh dombra; as a rule, there are three strings. They play it with a plectrum. The body in ancient times was made of dugout wood, but now it is glued together. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. dumbra fell out of use, having been supplanted by the mandolin, but at the end of the 20th century. was revived and reconstructed. Frets appeared on the neck of the instrument, ensemble varieties of dumbra were created - soprano, alto and bass.
The Tatar gusli are very similar to the Udmurt ones, but differ from them in an odd number of resonator holes. If there are 3 holes, one is at the top and the others are at the sides of the top deck, if 5 or 7, one hole is in the center, and the others are symmetrically around it. According to the modal organization of Tatar music, these gusli have a pentatonic system.
Other tools
Kubyz is a reed instrument resembling a jew's harp. It is a metal bow with a tongue in the middle. By changing the volume and shape of the oral cavity, the musician produces overtone sounds. Perhaps this instrument was borrowed by the Tatars from the Ugrians. According to archaeological data, it was known as early as the 10th century.
The Tatars also have a national percussion instrument. It is called def and resembles a tambourine.
