Download SLOVENE FOLK INSTRUMENTS

SLOVENE FOLK INSTRUMENTS
ZITHER
The zither is a musical string instrument, very common in Slovenia and mainly
used in folk music. It is played by strumming or plucking the strings like a guitar.
In slovene language it is called CITRE. Like many other string instruments,
acoustic and electric forms exist; in the acoustic version, the strings are
stretched across the length of the soundbox, and neither version has a neck.
They can be divided into two classes, the fretted ("concert") zithers and
fretless zithers. A musician that plays them is called zitherist or zither player.
ACCORDION
Accordion is a young folk instrument which developed in 19th century. The most
popular type of accordion is a diatonic accordion in our country, informally called
FRAJTONARICA. Numerous individuals and private workshops are still
manufacturing it. Accordion is indispensable in our national amusing music today.
PANPIPES
A particular type of panpipes was developed in our country and its shape has
been kept the same till today. According to some specialists it is the most
recognizable popular music instrument, which cannot be found anywhere else in
the world…in slovene language it is called TRSTENKE.
WOODEN HORN
The range of Slovene folk instruments does not include many wind instruments,
but the most important among them are no doubt wooden horns. A wooden horn
is made of a suitable branch which the maker first cuts lengthways in two halves
as accurately as possible, hollows out the central sections, and then glues them
together again. The horn is then wrapped tightly in cherry bark. Wind
instruments and horns, played by folk musicians to accompany dances, are
mentioned in written sources as early as 15th century.
POTTERY BASS
Earthenware bass was once widespread throughout Slovenia. We have different
names for him, the most common is LONČENI BAS. It is made from a clay pot
with a hole tight across the membrane of the pig's bladder. In the center of the
membrane on the inside is heavily lashed cane rod. The bladder is strained and
strapped to the pot.We use the earthenware bass to give the rhythm to the
melodie.
WHISTLE
Whistle from hazel wood may be with or without holes. The slovene word for the
whistle is PIŠČAL. On the upper side is the hole so that we can blow the air in
and then it gives us a nice sound.
FROGS
An instrument that looks like a drum or an earthenware bass with a string. They
are also used as a school toy. They made them out of walnut shells, paper,
horsehair and wooden sticks. In slovene we call them ŽABICE.