Traditional Tamboura Playing in Bulgaria’s Southwest in the Practice of Currently Popular Local Players Cover Image
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Традиционното тамбурджийско свирене от югозападна българия днес в практиката на няколко изявени местни изпълнители
Traditional Tamboura Playing in Bulgaria’s Southwest in the Practice of Currently Popular Local Players

Author(s): Valeri Dimchev
Subject(s): History, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Cultural history, Music
Published by: Институт за изследване на изкуствата, Българска академия на науките

Summary/Abstract: This article deals with this Bulgarian folk musical instrument and the tamboura playing tradition in Bulgaria’s southwest. The role of the tamboura in the traditional way of life has been explored. In the course of study meetings have been held and interviews taken with tambourists and tamboura teachers from various regions, schools, ethnic or age groups. The selection of tambourists’ accounts imply that the tamboura has been a must for people’s everyday lives at working bees, weddings, family feasts, etc. Todor Preshelkov recalls that tambouras were to be found in every house, which suggests that the instrument was extremely popular across the entire southwest of Bulgaria. The reason as to why and how it came to be the case is not easy to explain. Still, several very important factors could be defined: the tamboura has a natural dynamic balance with the human voice, which presupposes its role as appropriate accompaniment; it is suitable for both solo (instrumental or instrumental/ vocal) and group performances (with a shepherd’s pipe, timbrel, bagpipe); it simultaneously provides tune and rhythm; by playing the melody and holding the bourdon note at the same time it completely and authentically reflects the traditional musical aesthetic of Bulgaria’s southwest; the materials for tamboura-making are easily obtainable. As a result, it may be inferred that the traditional tambourian style typical of Bulgaria’s southwest is still extant and practiced by many performers within that region; the specific tambourian two-part playing fully reflects the musical aesthetic of the locals; the traditional playing of Bulgaria’s southwest has to be studied consistently at all levels of teaching and education, such as children’s centres for music, schools of music, as well as higher education institutions.

  • Issue Year: 2019
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 37-59
  • Page Count: 23
  • Language: English, Bulgarian