Domra

The domra (Ukrainian pronunciation: [ˈdɔmrɑ]; Cyrillic: до́мра) is a long-necked Belarusian, Russian, and Ukrainian folk string instrument of the lute family with a round body and three or four metal strings.

Domra
String instrument
Classification Plucked string instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification321.321
(Composite chordophone)
Playing range
Related instruments
Balalaika, Mandolin
Not to be confused with Dombra.

History

In 1896, a student of Vasily Vasilievich Andreyev found a broken instrument in a stable in rural Russia. It was thought that this instrument may have been an example of a domra, although no illustrations or examples of the traditional domra were known to exist in Russian chronicles (the traditional domra was only known through numerous mentions in folklore, though examples existed of the dombra, a related Turkic instrument). A three-stringed version of this instrument was later redesigned in 1896, patented, and introduced into the orchestra of Russian folk instruments.[1]

The three-stringed domra uses a tuning in 4ths.

Later, a four-stringed version was developed employing violin tuning by Moscow instrument maker, Liubimov, in 1905.

In recent times, scholars have come to the conclusion that the term "domra" actually described a percussive instrument popular in Russia, and that the discovered instrument was either a variant of the balalaika or a mandolin.

Today, it is the three-stringed domra that is used almost exclusively in Russia. It is played with a plectrum, and is often used to play the lead melody in Russian balalaika ensembles. The four-stringed domra is primarily widespread in Ukraine.

The modern domra is typically played with a plectrum, although some performers strum the instrument like a balalaika, but this is uncommon.

Orchestral instruments
A soviet-made 4 string Ukrainian Domra
Domra (left) and Bandola Llanera (right)

The basic domra is tuned as follows:

  • Three strings: EAD tuning.
  • Four strings: GDAE tuning (like the mandolin or the violin)

Instruments are made in various sizes including piccolo, prima, alto, tenor, bass, and contrabass.

  • Piccolo: b1 e2 a2[2]
  • Prima: e1 a1 d2[3]
  • Mezzo-Soprano: b e1 a1[4]
  • Alto: e a d1[5]
  • Tenor: B e a[6]
  • Bass: E A d[7]
  • Contrabass (minor): 1E 1A D[8]
  • Contrabass (major): 1A D G[9]

Performers

Tamara Volskaya is considered to be one of the leading contemporary performers on the 4 string domra. She is a Merited Artist of Russia, a Laureate of the USSR competition, and a Professor at the Mussorgsky Ural State Conservatory in Yekaterinburg, Russia. She now lives in New York City. Aleksandr Tsygankov is considered to be one of the leading contemporary performers, teachers, and composers of the 3 string domra. He lives in Moscow.[10]

See also
See also: Lute § History and evolution of the lute

References
  1. "Государственный академический русский оркестр им. В. В. Андреева" [State Academic Russian Orchestra. V. V. Andreeva]. Andreyev Orchestra. Russia. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  2. "Tablature for piccolo domra". www.balalajka.dk.linux20.unoeuro-server.com.
  3. "Tablature for prima domra". www.balalajka.dk.linux20.unoeuro-server.com.
  4. "Tablature for mezzosoprano domra". www.balalajka.dk.linux20.unoeuro-server.com.
  5. "Tablature for alto domra". www.balalajka.dk.linux20.unoeuro-server.com.
  6. "Tablature for tenor domra". www.balalajka.dk.linux20.unoeuro-server.com.
  7. "Tablature for bass domra". www.balalajka.dk.linux20.unoeuro-server.com.
  8. "Tablature for contrabass domra (the minor)". www.balalajka.dk.linux20.unoeuro-server.com.
  9. "Tablature for contrabass domra (the major)". www.balalajka.dk.linux20.unoeuro-server.com.
  10. "Alexander Tsygankov and Inna Shevchenko". www.gragroup.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
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