Musical Instruments

Our knowledge of these is derived from the pictures on the monuments, and various specimens which have been found. Of Instruments of Percu ion there were two or three kinds of drums, cymbals, a form of castanets, the tambourine, and the sistrum. The commonest form of Drum is a long narrow cylinder of wood or copper, with parchment at both ends, and covered with bracing cords. It was slung over the shoulders and carried on the back while marching. It figures chiefly in military scenes. A drum similar to the modern *darabukka* is very occasionally represented on the tomb walls. It resembles a funnel-shaped vase of pottery with parchment strained over the wide mouth. The Cymbals were similar to modern ones, only smaller. They were made of bra or a mixture of bra and silver. The Castanets were in the form of slightly curved sticks of wood or ivory about a foot long, terminating in a human head. The pictures of Tambourines on the tomb walls do not indicate the metal rings which we a ociate with the instrument. But from the way in which the performer is seen to hold it up we may conclude that the Egyptian tambourine was provided with them. Of Wind Instruments only wooden ones have been preserved; but pictures on the monuments show troops accompanied by men with Trumpets. The instrument represented is a simple one about 1 1/2 ft. long, made apparently of bra . The Flute was of various kinds. Sometimes it was of extraordinary length—between 4 and 5 ft. The specimens found vary from 7 to 15 ins. in length. They were made of reeds chiefly, and had three, four, and sometimes five holes. Flutes were also made of wood, of ivory, of horn, and bone. The Double Pipe is more frequently depicted on the monuments than the flute, oftenest played by women, and sometimes while the performer dances. It was made of the same materials as the flute. The Stringed Instruments represented on the monuments are of several kinds. Besides the Harp (q.v.) there were lyres, guitars or lutes, and others of which we do not know the names. The lyre is of various forms, and is decorated in many ways. It had from five to eighteen strings, which were sounded by the hand or with a plectrum; and sometimes the chords were touched with the left hand while the right hand played with a plectrum. The instrument was held in various ways, occasionally under the arm. The Guitar, or lute, is perhaps the instrument most frequently met with. It was played chiefly by women. The oval body is of wood, or of wood covered with leather perforated with several holes. With its long neck it must have measured about 4 ft. The three strings were fastened to the body by a triangular piece of wood or bone, and kept from contact with the neck at the other end by a small cro bar.