New Instrument Release

Author: GS4-TAIVEN
Date: 9/7/2006 9:33:10 PM

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Originally Posted in Bards, Instruments.

There will be two new instruments released as part of the Ebon Gate festivities. A lot of care went into making these instruments. I hope you guys enjoy!

One from the Tehir culture:

AYR

The ayr is a small, pear-shaped, stringed instrument. Unlike many
other plucked stringed instruments, it does not have a fretted neck.

The ayr features a pear-shaped sound box, a peg box which is bent back
at a 45-90 degree angle from the neck, five pairs of strings which are
paired in courses of two (except the lowest string which is usually
just a single string), a shorter neck, at least one sound hole, a
bridge, and keys for tuning the strings.

Each pair of strings is tuned by the same key, creating a distinctive
sound. The pairs of strings are tuned in unison, like the pairs of
strings on a mandolin. The bridge and the strings are attached to the
instrument in a similar fashion to the classical guitar, i.e. knotted
at the bridge.

The strings of the ayr are always made of gut and the bridge and neck
of the instrument are often inlaid with small pieces of ivory or bone.
Otherwise, the ayr is usually void of ornamentation or decoration. The
ayr is never to be painted, carved or the wood otherwise disturbed for
fear of changing the faint, haunting sound it produces.

The ayr is famous for its easy improvisation, unlike other instruments
which either require accompaniment or are too complex to play.

One from the Erithian culture:

ENSHAI

The enshai is an aerophonic instrument which is thought to bring good
luck, and as a result, it is widely used by Erithians during wedding
ceremonies and festive occasions.

The enshai employs two sets of double reeds, making it a quadruple
reed woodwind. By controlling the breath various tunes can be played
on it. The term "quadruple reed" comes from the fact that there are
four pieces of dried palm leaf vibrating against each other, in pairs.

The enshai is created from a wooden tube that gradually widens towards
the lower end. It usually has eight holes. The instrument is made of
ebonwood or rosewood and has a brass or copper bell fixed to the end
and tied together internally with string. The length of the instrument
is one and a half to two feet.

The reed mounts in the mouth piece, the upper end, on the outside.

This instrument has a sealed air chamber. When playing, the lips are
placed on the upper end, this places the reed inside the mouth. The
mouth is now part of the instrument and acts as an air chamber. Prior
to playing the reed must be soaked to soften it. The fingers of the
right hand cover the four bottom holes. The fingers of the left hand
play the upper four holes. Some players adjust the instrument's sound
by partially or completely filling some holes with wax.

The enshai is a very sensitive instrument and requires a great deal of
skill on a musician's part. It is actually the way in which the lips
and tongue play upon the reed mouthpiece and the manner in which the
holes are opened and closed with the fingers which render the
semitones and quarter tones effectively and attractively. The enshai
is considered one of the most difficult instruments to play.

The body of the enshai is always made of a dark hard wood, most
commonly ebonwood, rosewood, black ash, and black willow. The bell is
always made of either brass or copper. As the enshai is most commonly
used during festive occasions and wedding, it is often highly
decorated. The bells are often etched and polished, while the wood of
the body is often carved and adorned with jewels.

- Brought to you by GM Taiven, with support from the letters B(ernt), C(roe), and O(zias)!