What is Tambura?

 

There are five different instruments, which make up the tamburica family and each one contributes a unique sound, quality, and has a particular, defined musical role in the ensemble.  The instruments vary in tuning, but most are tuned in fourths.

 

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia, especially their Pannonian parts Slavonia and Vojvodina, tambura (often referred to by the diminutive tamburica) are the basic instruments for traditional folk music. This usually performed by small orchestras of three to ten members, but large orchestras capable of playing even classical pieces arranged for tambura also exist.

 

Tamburitza (tamburica, diminutive of tambura) music is a form of folk music that involves these and related string instruments. It became increasingly popular in the 1800s, and small bands began to form, paralleling similar developments in Russia, Italy and the Ukraine. The main themes of tamburitza songs are the common themes of love and happy village life  

 

One unique feature to the style of playing used in tamburica music is that ALL instruments are played using a pick. These picks are typically made out of cow horn, plastic, or other various materials, and are used to pluck the strings. 

 

 

The instruments are listed from smallest to largest in terms of size and pitch:

Prim: (pronounced “preem”)  - This is the smallest and highest pitched instrument of the tamburica family.  The prim’s purpose is to carry the main melody and provide complex musical embellishments.  The primaš (one who plays the prim), is typically the leader of the group, giving the cues for starts, endings, and key changes.

 

Brać / Basprim : (pronounced “brach”) - The brać, which resembles a ¾-sized guitar, is one octave lower in pitch and larger in size than the prim, and is thought to be the “work-horse” of the group.  The brać maintains the main melody throughout, especially when the prim is performing runs, or counter melodies.  Most tamburica groups have two or three different brać players/parts, who play melody, harmony, and sometimes, third part harmony.

 

 

Celo: (pronounced “Che-lo”) - The čelo is one octave lower in pitch and larger in size than the brać.  The čelo performs counter melodies, similar to the role of the concert cello in a symphonic orchestra.  The tamburica čelo resembles a guitar and is played horizontally using a pick.

 

Bugarija / Kontra: (pronounced boo-gahr-i-ya)  - The bugarija (or kontra) plays chords on the after-beat, or to the counter-rhythm, hence the term kontra (counter) is used interchangeably for this rhythm instrument.  This instrument is similar in size and shape to the čelo, however it is the only instrument in the tamburica family, which is not tuned in fourths, but is tuned to the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 8th, tones of the musical scale (an open chord).  This instrument works side-by-side with the tamburica bass, often called the “berde” which plays the down beats.