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RE: Building a Bulgarian Tambura (in reply to TANúñez)
I measured the one that belongs to the customer who had me build this one and went from there. It is similar to building a mandola or something. I think this instrument is lot like a cittern with a chunky body, come to think or it. It does have a cittern sound, but more nasal, which does go with the Bulgarian singing styles. Like a flamenco guitar fits with the flamenco voice this instrument fits the Bulgarian country singers overtone flirting vocal sound.
Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
RE: Building a Bulgarian Tambura (in reply to estebanana)
Man, that looks great! Nice work, hombre. I especially like the look of the top - lots of character. What causes the darker lines in the top, is it sap?
Posts: 3497
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC
RE: Building a Bulgarian Tambura (in reply to estebanana)
Great job, Stephen! During the period 1974-1976 I was assigned to the American Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria. This was during the reign of Todor Zhivkov, and Bulgaria was known as "the sixteenth Soviet republic" because they slavishly followed the Soviet line. Nevertheless, Bulgarian music was really a joy to listen to, and it had (to me) a rather exotic sound. Your tambura brings back fond memories.
Cheers,
Bill
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And the end of the fight is a tombstone white, With the name of the late deceased, And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here, Who tried to hustle the East."
RE: Building a Bulgarian Tambura (in reply to erictjie)
quote:
is Bulgarian tabura related to xinjiang /ugyur tambura?
I don't know, but this form of instrument is an Ur form for chorophones. Many cultures have a version of this basic form and some are very ancient.
There is an ancient connection between Hungary and the people of the Asian steps in (Central Asia- Western China today) There is archaeological evidence of trade between Eastern Europe and the Steps of Central Asia. The connection has something to do with the horse headed cello like instrument played in Mongolia.
You might search around about it. But very likely there could be a connection, but more likely it is an ur form instrument, in other words simultaneously developed in several places at once because it is so basic in structure.
Posts: 3497
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC
RE: Building a Bulgarian Tambura (in reply to estebanana)
quote:
There is an ancient connection between Hungary and the people of the Asian steps in (Central Asia
The Hungarians today (Magyars) actually are a result of a great migration of people from the Steppes to present-day Hungary. No doubt, cultural (including music) attributes followed them.
Let me ask you, Stephen, if there is a Finnish instrument similar to the Tambura? The reason I ask is that the Hungarian language is the only known language related to Finnish, as the Finns also are a result of migration from the Steppes. I had never thought about it before, but I wonder if their is a Finnish version of the Tambura?
Cheers,
Bill
_____________________________
And the end of the fight is a tombstone white, With the name of the late deceased, And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here, Who tried to hustle the East."
RE: Building a Bulgarian Tambura (in reply to TANúñez)
Very cool work! Beautiful instrument. I would like one :-)
quote:
Let me ask you, Stephen, if there is a Finnish instrument similar to the Tambura? The reason I ask is that the Hungarian language is the only known language related to Finnish, as the Finns also are a result of migration from the Steppes. I had never thought about it before, but I wonder if their is a Finnish version of the Tambura?
I don't think so. I've never seen anything like a tambura in finnish folk music. The most important and iconic folk instrument in finland is the Kantele, a zitherlike instrument. There's also different kinds of Jouhikko, which are bowed lyres, sometimes played (the pitch) with the backs of your fingers.
I think the differences in the folk music between hungary and finland reflects the differences between the languages. They are very different, you need to look really close to find similarities, imho. But both traditions are rich and interesting.
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