DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3720#0042
26
DOMESTIC HABITS OF THE EGYPTIANS.
considerable experience was required; and this could only
have resulted from an attentive study of musical sounds. The
three-stringed guitar, therefore, proves that the Egyptians had
acquired a knowledge of music at a very remote time, for,
though not represented in a band of music earlier than the
eighteenth dynasty, it is found among the hieroglyphics up-
wards of 600 years before that period, as the initial of the word
nofr, "good."
The guitar had a long neck, about twice the length of ita
oval body; which last was a hollow case of wood, with leather
or parchment strained over it, having small holes to allow the
sound to escape. It was played with the plectrum ; and as tho
cithara of Greece was smaller than the other Greek lyres,
the guitar of the Egyptians was of less power than their lyre.
"Women generally played it; men rarely. It was supported on
the right arm, and even by a strap over the shoulder, like the
Spanish guitar; while the strings were shortened by the left
hand ; and the performer occasionally danced to its sound.
Besides the lyre and guitar, were several instruments that
held a place between
them; some of which
have been found in the
tombs, and are pre-
served in the British
and other Museums.*
The tambourine, and
the dardbooka drum of
modern Egypt, were
(W. 130 used at funerals, as well
as on festive meetings. The tambourine was of three different
kinds ; one of which, of round shape, is still bo common
* P. A. of Ancient Egyptians, vol. i. pp. 118—125.
DOMESTIC HABITS OF THE EGYPTIANS.
considerable experience was required; and this could only
have resulted from an attentive study of musical sounds. The
three-stringed guitar, therefore, proves that the Egyptians had
acquired a knowledge of music at a very remote time, for,
though not represented in a band of music earlier than the
eighteenth dynasty, it is found among the hieroglyphics up-
wards of 600 years before that period, as the initial of the word
nofr, "good."
The guitar had a long neck, about twice the length of ita
oval body; which last was a hollow case of wood, with leather
or parchment strained over it, having small holes to allow the
sound to escape. It was played with the plectrum ; and as tho
cithara of Greece was smaller than the other Greek lyres,
the guitar of the Egyptians was of less power than their lyre.
"Women generally played it; men rarely. It was supported on
the right arm, and even by a strap over the shoulder, like the
Spanish guitar; while the strings were shortened by the left
hand ; and the performer occasionally danced to its sound.
Besides the lyre and guitar, were several instruments that
held a place between
them; some of which
have been found in the
tombs, and are pre-
served in the British
and other Museums.*
The tambourine, and
the dardbooka drum of
modern Egypt, were
(W. 130 used at funerals, as well
as on festive meetings. The tambourine was of three different
kinds ; one of which, of round shape, is still bo common
* P. A. of Ancient Egyptians, vol. i. pp. 118—125.