Originally Russian musical instruments are becoming a thing of the past, giving way to new ones. In few places today you can hear the balalaika; domra is even less common. Domra is the progenitor of the balalaika and is rightfully considered a Russian folk instrument.
Instructions
Step 1
Domra has existed in Russia since ancient times, its image can be seen in popular prints. It is curious that this instrument has become truly international, under various names domra is used by many nationalities. The Kalmyks have domras, the Tatars have dombra, or dunbur.
Step 2
According to its sound, domra is divided into several types: piccolo, mezzo-soprano and alto domra. This plucked instrument is a construction of a wooden body, on the bottom of which a shield is attached. In the upper part there is a neck with pegs. The strings are attached to the backboard and are stretched over the neck using pegs.
Step 3
The domra body is made from seven pieces of dry wood, which are glued together in a specific sequence. The fretboard is glued together from hardwood, with the grain of the wood being placed along.
Step 4
Initially, domra was made from a piece of wood, hollowing out a hemispherical cavity, then a neck was attached to which strings made from animal veins were pulled. In the seventeenth century, the church, disturbed by the rapid development of secular culture, began a persecution of "demonic instruments", to which domra was also attributed.
Step 5
Under pressure from churchmen, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich issued a decree in 1648 banning the use of domra as a musical instrument. Musicians-buffoons were forbidden to play the domra, and the instruments themselves were subject to destruction. No other musical instrument has experienced such a tragic fate. After the seventeenth century, not a single written mention of domra has been left.
Step 6
The revival of the instrument began with V. Andreev, a talented musician. In 1896, he found a dilapidated instrument, which, according to Andreev, was a domra. Together with the famous violin maker S. Nalimov, Andreev developed and implemented a completely new concept in making domra. A round, hemispherical body was constructed, glued from several types of wood, a neck with three strings. This is how the new domra began to look.
Step 7
By the time the domra was revived, Andreev was already leading the balalaika orchestra. Andreev was fascinated by the idea of creating an orchestra of Russian folk instruments. To bring his idea to life, Andreev needed a group of instruments that could create a continuous melodic theme in the overall sound of the orchestra. The revived domra was very suitable for this. The domra group was created and included in the orchestra.
Step 8
In 1948, at the Gnessin Institute, at the Department of Folk Instruments, a school for playing the three-string domra was opened. Domra has become a full-fledged member of every orchestra of Russian folk instruments.
