Dombyra and electric dombyra
About the Traditional Kazakh Acoustic Dombyra (correct name: dombyra)
The dombyra is a Kazakh national plucked musical instrument with two strings. In Russian, the form domra has traditionally been used, however the historically and linguistically correct name is dombyra. In this text, the term dombyra will be used as the primary designation. Similar Instruments Among Other Peoples Instruments typologically related to the dombyra exist among many peoples of Eurasia: in Russian culture — domra; in Tajik culture — dumrak; in Uzbek culture — dumbyra, dumbrak, dutar; in Kyrgyz culture — komuz; in Turkmen culture — dutar, bash, dumbyra; in Bashkir culture — dumbyra; among the Nogai people of the Azov region — dombyra; in Turkish culture — saz. Etymology of the Word “Dombyra” The etymology of the word dombyra has not yet been fully established. In the Tatar language, dumbra means balalaika, while dombura means guitar. In Kalmyk, dombr corresponds to dombyra; in Turkish, tambura refers to a guitar-type instrument; and in Mongolian, dombura again refers to the dombyra. Numerous hypotheses exist regarding the origin of the word, but there is still no consensus among scholars. History of the Instrument In 1989, in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, high in the mountains on the Maitobe plateau (zhailau), Professor S. Akitaev, with the participation of ethnographer Zhakda Babalykulу, discovered a rock carving depicting a musical instrument and four dancing figures. According to research by archaeologist K. Akishev, the carving dates back to the Neolithic period. Today it is preserved in the Ykylas Dukenuly Museum of Folk Musical Instruments in Almaty. The shape of the depicted instrument closely resembles the dombyra. This allows scholars to assume that the prototype of the modern dombyra existed more than 4,000 years ago and is one of the earliest plucked instruments, a predecessor of many modern string instruments. During excavations in ancient Khorezm, terracotta figurines of musicians playing two-stringed plucked instruments were also discovered. Researchers note their typological similarity to the Kazakh dombyra. These instruments were widespread among early nomadic peoples who inhabited the territory of present-day Kazakhstan over 2,000 years ago. Written sources across Eurasia testify to the widespread use of dombyra-like instruments among the Saka, Hunnic, and Cuman (Kipchak) tribes. Ancient kyuis that have survived to this day include: “Ertys Tolqyndary” (Waves of the Irtysh), “Mundy Kyz” (The Sad Girl), “Tepen Kok” (The Lynx), “Aqsaq Qaz” (The Lame Goose), “Bozingen” (The Light Camel), “Zhelmaya” (The One-Humped Camel), “Qulannyn Tarpuy” (The Gallop of the Kulan), “Kokeikesti” (Deep Inner Feeling), and others. In descriptions of Tatar troops recorded by Marco Polo in the 13th century, songs and the playing of two-stringed instruments before battle are mentioned. Music was used to relieve tension and create a fighting spirit. According to the description, this two-stringed instrument was very similar to the Kazakh dombyra. It is important to note that although the dombyra is described here in the context of Kazakh culture, it is in essence a shared cultural heritage of all Turkic peoples. The Dombyra as the Instrument of Kyui For Kazakhs, a kyui is not merely a musical composition, but a sounding chronicle of the people’s history, daily life, traditions, and worldview. For this reason, performers of kyuis — kyuishi — were held in great esteem. The majority of kyuis are performed on the dombyra. There is a saying among the people: “A true Kazakh is not a person — it is the dombyra.” This emphasizes the inseparable connection between the instrument and the past, present, and future of the Kazakh people. Historically, the word Kazakh means “free warrior,” an independent individual who serves society voluntarily, defending it at the cost of labor, health, and even life. Structure of the Dombyra For centuries, the dombyra has preserved the basic features of its construction. Craftsmen focused primarily on expanding its acoustic capabilities rather than altering its shape. The body (shanak) serves as a sound resonator. There are two main methods of its construction: assembly from separate wooden segments made of various types of wood (spruce, pine, maple, elm, pear, walnut, linden, plane tree, etc.); carving from a single solid piece of wood — the traditional folk method. The soundboard (qaqpaq) amplifies string vibrations and shapes the instrument’s timbre. It is made from spruce or pine, either as a single piece or assembled. The wood must be free of knots, cracks, and rot. Modern soundboard tuning is similar to that of the violin. The bass bar (bassbalken) is an internal brace that enhances sound. It was absent in traditional dombyra construction but is used in modern instruments to improve acoustics. The bridge is a key element transmitting string vibrations to the soundboard. It is not fixed and can be moved to fine-tune resonance. It is usually made of maple. Strings were traditionally made from sheep or goat intestines, preferably from two-year-old sheep from the Atyrau and Mangystau regions. Such strings produced a low, soft tuning characteristic of folk music. In the 20th century, with the formation of folk instrument orchestras, a higher d–g tuning was adopted. Natural gut strings could not withstand this tension and were replaced by synthetic ones, resulting in the partial loss of the traditional timbre. Source: Zhumagali Nazhmendenov. “Acoustic Characteristics of the Kazakh Dombyra.” Aktobe, 2003. Electric Dombyra The electric dombyra is a modern musical instrument first created in 2010 in Kazakhstan by Nurzhan Toishy. It preserves the shape and timbral foundation of the classical dombyra while incorporating electric -guitar technologies. The instrument is made of wood, equipped with braided metal strings of equal diameter and pickups. Functionally, the electric dombyra can be used as a bass, rhythm, or solo instrument. Differences from the Electric Guitar: External appearance Two strings instead of six Different neck length and thickness Use of all five fingers when playing Different number of frets Smaller pitch range and fewer octaves Differences from the Acoustic Dombyra: Non-acoustic performance Metal strings instead of nylon Presence of pickups Purpose of the Instrument The electric dombyra allows dombyra melodies to be projected loudly and clearly on stage, and enables the use of electronic effects (wah-wah, overdrive, distortion) to create a modern sound for an ancient instrument. Where to Learn to Play the Dombyra Kazakhstan — music colleges and higher educational institutions CIS countries — private instructors and ethnocultural centers Worldwide — primarily through private lessons Where to Purchase an Electric Dombyra An electric dombyra can be custom-ordered from the Shamray Guitars electric guitar workshop in Moscow. Nurzhan Toishy is their exclusive representative in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The price depends on the configuration of the instrument.