| |
 The Oriental
Guitar, the Rabbab
The instrument that we build in the program: My
Oriental Guitar is an eastern guitar, which we named: Rabbab. An instrument resembling the
Rabbab in its appearance and size is the Rabbaba. The Rabbaba is a traditional oriental
musical instrument which has one string made of metal wire or interwoven horse tail hairs.
The string is stretched high over a camel's hide. It is played with an arched (bow)
producing a sobbing over-tones, considered as a string instrument. Our program instrument
the Rabbab, - just like guitar - is a plucked instrument.
|
We gave our instrument a similar name: Rabbab, in order to show that
we are dealing with a primeval, oriental instrument which has its roots in our country and
in other countries in the region. However the Rabbab is a new invention string instrument
- developed by Naftali Lahav. |
|
|
|
|
My Oriental Guitar
Instrument name: Rabbab
constructing and playing...
 What is it?
Program
goals
 Our Guitar
the Rabbab
Our
TAB
The
pieces we'll play
Schools
and teachersMore Education
Programs:
 My Music Box
Computers & Internet
Music Day
Other Sections:
 Play Guitar
 Guitar compositions
 Studio for Guitar
Home page
Site map
|
| |
| Our Rabbab is played using the fingers or a plectrum,
and thus it is an oriental guitar belonging to the group of plucked instruments. The sound
of our Rabbab is powerful and clear, similar to the sound of the Ud. |
|
The Rabbab has no frets and thus the professional player can play
quarter tones, which are used in maqams (oriental scales). It is possible to attach three
kinds of strings to the Rabbab in order to achieve different kinds of sounds: a standard
string (recommended), a thick string – for a lower tone, and a bass string for playing
the bass line.
|
|
| |
  |
Why was this instrument chosen as the
main instrument in this program? The Rabbab is, in fact, a prototype, which represents
most of the components of string and plucked instruments. It is a popular instrument,
which was used by all nations of the region and which has remained in its original form,
practically unchanged. In addition, the Rabbab is suited in size to the average student of
the 4th grade and up, and therefore it is relatively easy to play. Furthermore,
the pleasant, clear sound of the instrument encourages the student to play. |
|
| |
|
|
|
_____________________
To the next page: Our Tab 
|
|
|
