Trembita
Classification | |
---|---|
Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 423.121-12 |
Playing range | |
c1-g4 | |
Related instruments | |
Thetrembita(from theold Germanictrumba,"to trumpet", inUkrainianтрембíта) is a type of analpine hornmade of wood. It is common among Ukrainian highlandersHutsulswho live in western Ukraine, eastern Poland, Slovakia, and northern Romania. In Poland it is known as atrombita(in the south), abazuna(in the north), or aligawka(in central Poland). Trembita is also one of the Ukrainian folk musical instruments.
Etymology
[edit]The word "trembita" is believed to be derived fromRomaniantrîmbiță.In theRomanian languageitself, it is probably aSlavicism- fromProto-Slavic*trǫbica<*trǫba(inUkrainianтруба).
The variant "trombita" is apparently borrowed fromHungariantrombita,where it comes fromItaliantrombetta.
Description
[edit]A trembita was used primarily by mountain dwellers known asHutsulsandGoralsin theCarpathians,it was used as a signaling device to announce deaths, funerals, weddings.
The tube is made from a long straight piece of pine orspruce(preferably one that has been struck by lightning) which is split in two in order to carve out the core. The halves are once again joined together and then wrapped inbirchbark or osier rings. It is also used by shepherds for signaling and communication in the forested mountains and for guiding sheep and dogs. Thetrembitahas a timbre that is much brighter than that of thealpenhorndue to its narrow bore and very minor flare.
The trembita has no lateral openings and therefore gives the purenatural harmonic seriesof the open pipe. The upper harmonics are the more readily obtained by reason of the small diameter of the bore in relation to the length.
The notes of the natural harmonic series overlap, but do not exactly correspond, to notes found in the familiar chromatic scale in standard Westernequal temperament.Most prominently within the trembita's range, the 7th and 11th harmonics are particularly noticeable because they fall between adjacent notes in the chromatic scale.
In the hands of a skilled composer or arranger, the natural harmonics can be used to haunting melancholy effect or, by contrast, to create a charming pastoral flavor.
Modern use
[edit]The trembita is often used in Ukrainian ethnographic ensembles and as an episodic instrument in the Ukrainian folk instrument orchestra.
The trembita was shown on2004 Eurovision Song Contestby the Ukrainian winner of the contestRuslanaduring her performance of the song "Wild Dances".
It is also used by Ukrainian bandONUKA.
The longest trembita (8.35 m) was made by Polish folk musician Józef Chmiel, located in the Czech Republic.[1]
Similar instruments
[edit]- Alphorn,used by mountain dwellers in Switzerland and elsewhere
- Erke,a similar instrument of theArgentine Northwest
- Birch trumpet,a similar instrument used in Norway, Sweden and theBaltic region
- Lur,nativeScandinavianterm forBirch trumpet
- Trâmbiță or Bucium,a type of alphorn used by mountain dwellers and by shepherds in Romania and Moldova
See also
[edit]References
[edit]Sources
[edit]- Humeniuk, A (1967).Ukrainski narodni muzychni instrumenty.Kiev:Naukova dumka.
- Mizynec, Victor (1987).Folk instruments of Ukraine.Doncaster: Bayda Books.ISBN0-908480-19-9.OCLC19355447.
- Cherkasky, Leonid Musiiovych (2003).Ukrainski narodni muzychni instrumenty.Kiev: Tekhnika.ISBN966-575-111-5.OCLC56112444.
- Demonstration of trembita performance
- Mr Plyushko explains about trembita to students(in Ukrainian)
- Christmas call by trembitas
External links
[edit]Media related toTrembitaat Wikimedia Commons