Domra


 Domra

 


 

Domra       

 

  The Domra is an instrument, that can vary greatly in size or stlye. The domra is mainly used in Russian folk music. The insturment has three or four strings. The domra was developed in late 1885 by Vasily Vassilievich Andreyev, the father of Russian balalaika. Currently in Russian orchestras the domra does the melody, and is accompanied by balalaikas and bayans to play classical and traditional Russian music.

 

 

 

What It Is Used For

 

   Most often a domra is played with a "plectrum",a pick in Russian Balalaika orchestras or small musical ensembles. Domra is the violin of Russian folk orchestra. It is one of the most flexible instruments in Russian orchestra. It plays the lead melodies of the orchestra, it is usually accompanied by the balalaika. People believe that the domra was brought to Russia with the Mongolian invasion in the 1200's. There are five ways to play the domra. They are the tremelo method, the stacatto method, the pizzicato method, the flageoletto method, and the chord play .

 

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History

 

  The domra is an ancient instrument from the lute family. It was most likely brought to Russia from invaders in the 13th and 14th century.  The domra was played by street musicians called skomorohki who traveled around the cities of Russia.  This instrument fell out of popularity during and after the rule of Ivan the Terrible and was not rediscovered until the 19th century when the noble conductor and composer, Vasily Vassilievich Andreyev completed a whole range of folk instruments including the domra to be assembled in a symphonic orchestra. The domra comes in different sizes from the pico domra to the bass domra.  It can also be found in a three string variety tuned in quarters or four strings tuned in fifths. 

 

 

The Domra is loved

 

  Most Russians loved the domra. The domra was like a guitar or a piano to us. This intrument played the most beautiful folk music in all of Russia. However there is one person in Russia that made a big impact that loved the Domra. Josef Stalin, who was an evil dictator of Russia and was a big fan of the domra.