Gusli - what is it? Ancient Russian folk stringed plucked musical instrument

Musical instrument gusli - what is it? It refers to stringed plucked species. Gusli is an ancient instrument, familiar to many according to legends. But in modern times to hear his sounds can be mainly in orchestras, focused on the reproduction of folk Slavic music. Although there are still some talented masters able to extract music from this ancient instrument.

When were the gusli created?

Since childhood, everyone has heard about the gusli. What are they? This is an unusual ancient musical instrument. In former times, his sounds were often heard in the village huts. There are many legends and folk tales about this instrument. The first time the gusli was mentioned in 591. But there is no more exact date for the creation of this musical instrument in any source.

A bit of history

Gusli - what is it? It's a musical old pinch tool. But when he appeared - it is not known. There are many versions. One of them - the gusli are formed from an ancient musical bow. It was a folk instrument, rather primitive and well-known in almost all countries. In support of this version, you can add that the string of such a musical bow was called "gusla". But, as mentioned above, this is just one of many hypotheses.

In the ninth century, Slavic play surprised the Byzantine kings by playing the harp. At that time the tool was made from dry maple boards or spruce. The names of the psaltery sometimes came from the ornamental material. For example, masters preferred maple Yavor. But when strings of metal began to be pulled, the harp (the photo is in this article) became known as "zvonchatye".

The difficult and interesting fate of a musical instrument

The fate and history of the "growth" of the psaltery is closely connected with the epic and folk tradition. The secret of making a musical instrument was transmitted for centuries. Songs and jokes on the harp were loved by everyone: both commoners and kings. But after a while guslar (or guslisty) began to be persecuted. And not the least role was played by unflattering songs about the then existing authorities.

Over time, the body and the design of the harp have changed, the technology of processing the material and applying varnish has undergone changes. And the decorative finish has changed. And as a result, the gusli from a crude folk instrument turned into a real work of art with a unique and rich sound.

Description of the psaltery

Archaeologists still find ancient Russian gusli, which date back to the 11th-13th centuries. Instruments were found in Poland and Russia. All gusli have common parts: strings, ring row, body, resonator and string holder. But the form and location can be different.

Types of gusli

In addition to three types of plucked instruments, modern keyboards have appeared, on which mechanics are installed. When you press open the strings, and you can quickly select the desired chord. Playing the harp became much easier. And all the old instruments are divided into several types:

• Helmet-shaped. The name was given by the appearance of the instrument. The archaeologists have few such finds. Most of them are Novgorodian. The existence of helmet-shaped gusli in the old days is confirmed by images in the temples. But the history of this instrument was short-lived. Soon he underwent external changes and got a different name. Such psaltery became a separate type of musical instrument. Otherwise the helmet-shaped gusli were called "psalter". They were closely associated with the clergy, as they often sounded in the temples.
• Gusli without an opening. Over time, the gusli disappeared game window. This type of instrument has survived to this day. Such gusli - a separate species. Otherwise they are called kantele.
• Pterygoal gusli (photos are in this article). This is a tool with a reveler (aka coke). The opening is a thin particle in the case, an additional "platform" reflecting the sound. She stands for the ring line. Such gusli were spread from the 14th to 15th centuries. And are more common than other types of tools. And the name "pterygoid" was given to the ghusl because of the external form. They were popular in areas bordering Finland, the Baltics and Karelia.
• Hourglass (plucked). These tools are much more complicated than jangled with metal strings. They can be stretched from 55 to 66 pieces on the stovepipes. At first the scale was diatonic, then the ghusl appeared chromatic. Their strings are lowered slightly lower than on the plucked instruments. Thanks to this change, the most complicated polyphonic works became available.

Gusli in modern times

Gusli - what is it? This is an ancient legendary musical instrument. In modern times he is in almost every orchestra. The voice of the psaltery gives the overall sound a unique color and zest. Interest in this musical instrument has recently increased significantly. There were modern guslaras, striving to revive ancient traditions and chants.

How to play the harp?

The gusli sounded loud, but very gently. This was ensured by vein strings. On the harp musicians played, sitting on something solid. The instrument was placed on its knees under a slight inclination. The top rested on the musician's chest. Often guslars played standing. Some masters even managed to dance while extracting sounds from the instrument.

Playing the harp is a real skill. Modern gusli, imitating ancient, metal strings, from five to nine in number. The latter are located separately. The musicians play sitting, pressing the psaltery to the stomach. The narrow side of the instrument is facing to the right, and the wide side to the left. In the fingers of the right hand there is a splinter, a mediator, a pen or a bone. They extract sound from strings. And all are touched at the same time. And the fingers on the left hand muffle too loud sound.

Workshops and factories

Gusli is a musical instrument for which there are practically no large factories. There are only small workshops that are created in the villages by true lovers of antiquity. Therefore, each instance of the psaltery is of an old type becoming almost a unique and unique creative example.