History of regret. Zhaleyka is an old Russian folk woodwind musical instrument.

Old Russian folk - a wooden, reed or cattail tube with a bell made of horn or birch bark.

Zhaleika is also known as zhalomeyka.

Origin, history of pity

The word "poor" does not occur in any ancient Russian monument writing. The first mention of a zhaleyka is in the notes of A. Tuchkov dating back to the end of the 18th century. There is reason to believe that the zhaleyka was present before that in the form of another instrument.

In a number of regions, zhaleyka, like Vladimirsky, is called "shepherd's horn". As a result, when a written source speaks of a "shepherd's horn", we cannot know exactly what instrument it is.

The origin of the word "poor" has not been established. Some researchers associate it with "jelly" or "pity" - a funeral rite, which in some areas includes playing the pity.

To study the question of the time when the tradition of playing for zhaleyki arose among Russians, an instrument called “ squeakers“, widespread in the southern Russian regions.

Once zhaleyka was widespread in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Lithuania. Now it can be seen, perhaps, only in orchestras of Russian folk instruments.

The device and types of zhaleyka

There are two varieties of zhaleika - single and double (double-barreled).

Single zhaleyka It is a small tube of willow or elderberry, 10 to 20 cm long, at the upper end of which is inserted a beeper with a single tongue of reeds or goose feathers, and at the lower end there is a bell made of cow horn or birch bark. The tongue is sometimes incised on the tube itself. There are from 3 to 7 playing holes on the barrel, so you can change the pitch of the sound.

Scale sorry diatonic. Range depends on the number of slots. Timbre piercing and nasal, sad and compassionate.

The zhaleyka was used as a shepherd's instrument; tunes of various genres were played on it alone, in a duet, or in an ensemble.

Double (double-barrelled) zhaleyka consists of two tubes of equal length with playing holes, folded side by side and inserted into one common socket. The number of playing holes for paired pitfalls is different, as a rule, there are more of them on a melodic pipe than on a second one.

They play on both pipes simultaneously, extracting sound either from both at once, or from each pipe separately in turn. Paired zhaleyki are used for one-voice and two-voice game. Single zhaleyki are distributed mainly in the northern regions of Russia, and paired - in the south.

In the Tver province, shepherds made zhaleyki from willow, according to the local nonsense, therefore zhaleyki began to be called there. The entire body consisted of wood, which is why the sound of it turned out to be softer.

In 1900, V.V. Andreev introduced an improved zhaleyka, called by him, into his orchestra. His appearance this pity is similar to folk, it has a double tongue type. In addition to the usual playing holes, it has additional ones with valves that allow you to get a chromatic scale.

Video: Zhaleyka on video + sound

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Is a pity. It is a wind reed musical instrument, which was very popular among the population of Slavic peoples. There is an opinion that the progenitor of such a reed wind instrument with a single reed, like a clarinet, was the same pity. However, this is attributed to both the Hungarian tarogato and the medieval chalumeau.

general description

Musical instrument zhaleyka is a tube, the material for which is a reed or reed plant, with a bell at the end, made of upper layers birch bark or animal horn. Sometimes willow or elderberry was used for the main tube.

There are zhaleyki (the description is presented in the article) according to the configuration, they are bifurcated or single-tube. The length of the instrument ranges from 10-20 cm, while the number of holes on the tube for extracting sound can be from three to seven. In some southern territories of Russia, the local population fastened a bell to a forked pity.

The musical instrument zhaleika is quite easy to use. Anyone can handle it, as it does not require trained breathing or any other special musical skills.

This wind instrument can be used in solo program, play melodies in a duet or be part of an ensemble.

Etymology of the instrument

Initially, the tool was positioned as a shepherd's pity, as it was used to attract attention and collect livestock and sheep by the shepherd himself. Zhaleika became widespread in the territorial regions modern Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania. To date, it can be seen only at concerts held by folklore folk ensembles.

Russian zhalomeyka is also known as zhalomeyka. The writer and publicist Vladimir Mikhnevich draws the attention of the public to the similarity of the root in the words "sorry" and "sorry". The Novgorod people called the ancient pagan burial mound type a pity. Another meaning of the word is associated with ancient cemetery or graveyard. In this regard, V. Mikhnevich suggested that the instrument was used during rituals that were held in memory of the deceased after burial or at certain times of commemoration.

Historical digression

Wind musical instruments were the most important component of Russian folk music and an integral part of the national culture. The first musical instruments were reliably noticed by scientists as early as the thirteenth century BC. First appeared percussion instruments, and then wind, various pipes and whistles. IN Ancient Rus' musical instruments were widely used among shepherds and court buffoons: pity, flutes and horns.

Also, these musical devices have found application in military squads. Kievan Rus. At the princely courts, the sound of pity could be heard during various solemn meetings and fun.

Some Russian tsars tried to destroy the culture of these musical instruments, persecuted musicians and imposed bans on the use of music. At that time, the national Russian folk music suffered heavy losses in musical culture. But the nationwide love for musicians and their creations did not allow the beloved traditions and instruments to disappear.

folk instrument

At the end of the nineteenth century, Russian society grew interested in its own history and national culture. This happened thanks to some researchers in the field of various folk instruments. At the same time, the Russian musician, composer and virtuoso balalaika player V. V. Andreev, organizer and leader of the first folk instrument orchestra in the history of Russia, conducted successful work on the revival of Russian instruments and their modernization. Simultaneously with these works, attempts were made to improve the zhaleyka, flute and key chains.

By the way, a keychain is one of the names of a zhaleyka used in the Tver region. There, the instrument was made of willow, or, as they called locals, nonsense. This is where the name of the keychain comes from. Unlike the zhaleyka, which was used by the shepherds, the keychain has a more gentle and delicate melodic movement. This is due to the fact that musical subject made entirely of wood.

In different regions of vast Russia, zhaleyka and its derivatives are known under various titles. So, in the Kursk region it is called a horn, in the Gorky region - ladusha, in Belgorod region - a squeaker, in Penza region - sipovka. Forked pity in Vladimir region called dvuchatki, and in Ryazan - zhalanki, in the Penza region it is called a cane.

Varieties of pity

The musical instrument zhaleyka is subdivided by design into two types:

• Single pity.
• Two-part.

Sound from the pity different type extracted in the same way. It consists in vibrating the tongue of the beeper. The instrument has a seven-sound sound system, there is a reproduction of the notes "re", "sol", "la", less often - "do", "fa", "mi". Sound range similar to high singing voice. To the ear, the sound of the pity seems sad and very pitiful, the melodies come out dreary, but with proper skill they can be quite cheerful.

Zhaleika is widely used in folk orchestras and is a very common musical instrument. The double-barreled zhaleyka is still very similar in sound to the bagpipe. Its lower tones sound at the same height, performing the function of a bourdon. Some minds believe that the pity came from the bagpipe. There is a noticeable similarity between the pipe of the bagpipe and the tube of the miserable one in a constructive way. There is also a sound similarity of the nature of the sound.

Single zhaleyka

This musical object looks like a small tube up to 20 cm long, made of willow, elder or reed cane. On one side of the tube is a squeaker, which has a goose feather (or reed) tongue in its design. At the other, lower end, a bell made of birch bark is attached. Often the material for such an element is the horn of a large animal, such as a cow. It happens that the tongue on the tube itself is cut.

To receive a melody, holes are located on the zhaleyka tube. Their number varies from 3 to 7 pieces. Single zhaleyka range can be soprano, alto or bass.

Two-piece or paired zhaleyka

It is paired tubes of the same size, each with its own playing holes, the number of which can differ dramatically from each other. One tube can be leading, the other - secondary, and the first, respectively, will have more holes. Tubes are inserted into one common socket.

You can extract the melody of their two-part zhaleyka both in turn from each pipe, and simultaneously from two.

Such a musical instrument is intended mainly for two-voice melodic playing.

ZHALEIKA, a Russian wind reed musical instrument, a wooden or reed pipe with a bell made of horn or birch bark ... Modern Encyclopedia

Russian wind reed musical instrument wooden, reed, cattail tube with a bell made of horn or birch bark ... Big encyclopedic Dictionary

ZHALEYKA, zhaleyki, wives. (Region). Russian peasant musical instrument, consisting of a cow horn with two reed pipes inserted into it and with several holes; a reed pipe, from a hollowed out thin tree. Explanatory ... ... Dictionary Ushakov

ZHALEYKA, and, wives. Folk wind reed musical instrument - a wooden pipe with a bell made of cow horn or birch bark. Play on pity. | adj. pathetic, oh, oh. Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov

ZHALEIKA- a wind musical instrument among the Eastern Slavs is a wooden or reed pipe with a bell made of cow horn or birch bark ... Ethnographic dictionary

zhaleika- ZHALEIKA, a Russian wind reed musical instrument, a wooden or reed pipe with a bell made of horn or birch bark. … Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

miserable- zhaleyka, a wind musical instrument among the Eastern Slavs a wooden or reed pipe with a bell made of cow horn or birch bark ... Encyclopedia "Peoples and Religions of the World"

Now zhaleyka (otherwise it is called a keychain) can be seen, perhaps, only in the orchestra of Russian folk instruments. And once it was widespread in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Lithuania. Like her closest relative, the shepherd ... ... Music dictionary

AND; pl. genus. watering can, dates. watering cans; and. Russian folk wind musical instrument in the form of a pipe (also common in Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania). ● Zhaleika is a wooden or reed tube with holes on the side (for ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Books

• Folk instruments. Audio Encyclopedia (CD), . Funny musical performance in an easy and accessible form will introduce the child to Russian folk instruments and their sound. He will tell about the history of the appearance of these tools, about what ...
• Velka's childhood, Alexey Oleinikov. In 2007, the collection of short stories "Velkin's childhood" became the winner of the national children's literary prize "cherished dream". The book tells about the adventures of the boy Velka in the southern ...
• Gusli, Saratov harmonica, zhaleika, ocarina and balalaika share their secrets, Olga Piccolo. Young listeners get acquainted with a variety of musical Russian folk instruments that are part of three friendly families of the orchestra: with wind, string-plucked and percussion instruments: ...

Zhaleika is a wind reed musical instrument, which is considered, along with the chalumeau and the Hungarian tarogato, a harbinger of the modern clarinet. This unpretentious and easy to manufacture tool has many varieties. They play on the pity tunes of the most diverse genre nature alone, in duet, as well as in an ensemble with other instruments and singing. This musical instrument got its name due to its "compassionate, sometimes ... crying" sound. In some areas, two more names have been assigned to the zhaleyka - a horn and a squeaker. Such names determined, most likely, the design and material from which the craftsmen made this instrument.

Often a pity is made from a wooden pipe with several holes, into which a goose feather-peeper is inserted on one side, and the other side is pushed into a bull horn (hence the name “horn”). Pishchik can also be made not only from goose feather, but also from reed, walnut, hazel. Some craftsmen have adapted to make a beeper out of wood, as the reed one quickly gets wet, breaks the tuning and does not sound at all. The pipe itself can be made from willow, elderberry, maple, reed (sometimes even from tin). The five finger holes on the pipe are called "voices" and are numbered from bottom to top. During the game, all holes are never open. If you close it in turn, then a scale system is formed: do, re, mi, fa, salt, etc. The length, size and diameter of the horn into which the second end of the pipe is inserted affects the pitch, strength and timbre of the sound. The horn is usually taken bovine, as it is ribbed in a cow. It is polished, boiled for a long time, a hole is drilled, and then it is adapted to the pipe, sometimes glued, sometimes not.

In the villages of the Alekseevsky and Krasnogvardeisky districts of the Belgorod region, the double zhaleyka, or pischik, was especially common. The squeaker differs from a simple pity in that it has two pipes, which are inserted again into a bull's horn, well cleaned, so that the walls become thin and glow.

The bell of the horn should be bent more. This affects the strength of the sound. From the stories of folk instrumentalists of the Belgorod region E.M. Saprykin (born in 1905, the village of Afanasievka, Alekseevsky district) and M.V. Sychev (born in 1910, the village of Streletskoye, Krasnogvardeisky district), we can conclude that the manufacture of tools is a delicate and scrupulous business. It requires the creator not only to strictly follow the technology, but also to love music in general. The method of making a squeaker is as follows: tongues are cut on the trunks of peeled reeds; both pipes are fastened together and united by one bell from a bull's horn. Tool barrels are named according to the number of holes there, that is, “tee”, “gear”.

The instrument is tuned so that one beeper continues the scale of another. In general, the squeakers do not have a standard scale. The build of the instrument depends on local traditions, repertoire and the individual characteristics of the performer. Most of the repertoire of the pityers is made up of dance tunes.

From the materials of folklore expeditions to the Alekseevsky and Krasnogvardeisky districts of the Belgorod region, it became known that at the end of the last century there were few masters of playing the unique traditional musical instrument that was widespread here earlier - the double zhaleyka. The most famous among folklorists-researchers were two of them. This is Fedor Grigoryevich Voronkov (born 1914), who lived in the village of Kazatskoye, Krasnogvardeisky district. The names of his tunes have been preserved since the 19th century: “General”, “Steppe”, “Let me go”, “Petrakova”, “Crushed”. Also known leader folklore ensemble"Userd" of the village of Nizhnyaya Pokrovka, Krasnogvardeisky District, Viktor Ivanovich Nechaev (born 1965). He plays the zhaleyka and owns the tradition of making it. He also spoke about the design of the modern zhaleyka.

However, not only folk musicians play and make pity. Professional musicians began to do this with enthusiasm. Here is the story of V.I. Nechaev about the design and features of the modern zhaleyka:

Nowadays, metal or ebonite tubes are often used, in the body of which there can be from three to seven holes for changing the pitch. The zhaleyka with seven holes in the tube has a full diatonic scale within an octave. It is tuned, as a rule, to a major key with a lowered VII degree, which is typical for Russian folk music. musical tradition. Depending on the size of the zhaleyka, there can be different tunings, which is important in ensemble and orchestral playing. Precise folk standards wind instruments do not have, so each of them has certain individual qualities (construction, tuning, range, timbre).

The most important structural part of the zhaleyka is the mouthpiece with the reed. In order for the instrument to have a well-defined tuning, the mouthpiece with a reed (reed) must, by itself, without a resonator, emit the main tone of this tuning - for example: "D" in D major. On vintage pity the tongue (beep) was cut by the craftsmen directly on the main tube or on a separate small tube, which was inserted into the channel of the main tube. At the same time, the performer had to close the free end of the squeaker tube with his tongue.

In our time, the design of the mouthpiece has been somewhat improved. Its free end is made deaf, a rectangular narrow cut is made along the mouthpiece to its deaf end, which opens the internal cavity. Above the cut, a tongue (beep) is installed, which is attached at the base of the cut with a ring of PVC tube. Such a mount not only makes it possible to securely fasten the tongue to the mouthpiece, but also, which is very important, to change the instrument's pitch, within a quart, by moving the ring in one direction or another. A small tube-cap is put on top of the main tube of the zhaleyka, which protects the tongue from accidental damage, and at the same time, thanks to it, the technical possibilities of execution are expanded. The size and location of the holes on the main tube of the instrument does not have exact dimensions. In popular practice, the distance between the holes is approximately equal to the thickness of the finger (i.e. about 25 mm). The size of the holes (their diameter) is determined when setting up the tool empirically. The larger the hole, the higher the sound. In addition, the diameter of the main tube bore also affects the size of the holes and the distance between them.

Sound extraction on a zhaleyka requires some effort. The greater this effort, the higher its system can rise (within ¼-½ tone), and vice versa. In addition, intermediate chromatic sounds can be played on this instrument by incompletely closing the holes. In principle, it is possible to manufacture instruments in any tuning. The range of the zhaleyka usually covers an octave, but can be wider by another fourth. In addition, an experienced player can expand the range by pressing upper teeth on the base of the tongue and thereby extract 2-3 more additional sounds of the scale. Professor of the Moscow Conservatory A.V. Rudneva notes that in the Kursk villages, a zhaleyka with a small bell made of a cow horn is called a “horn”, and a zhaleyka with a large bull horn and a lower order is called a “buzzer”.

Zhaleika has an octave diatonic scale in the system "la-", "mi-", "fa-", G-major. Other tonalities are also used. Decreasing the tuning down at the same time increases the size of the blade and, at the same time, the distance between the finger holes (scale), and vice versa, which creates additional difficulties when playing.

In notes, zhaleika is written in treble clef, in the first octave. Zhaleika is a primitive instrument. Its endless improvement would eventually lead to the creation of a clarinet, and then its main amazing originality would be lost.

Zhaleika consists of a tube with six holes on top and one (for the thumb of the left hand) at the bottom, a specially processed cow horn, a squeaker with a cane and a mouthpiece. All these five elements “work” in unity, so the thoughtless replacement of one component with another, even if in appearance the same - is unlikely to bring the desired result.

Zhaleyka is held with both hands in front of him at chest level, almost horizontally. Nameless, middle and index fingers the right hand is covered with three holes closest to the horn. The thumb of the right hand supports the tube at the bottom. It is necessary to strictly ensure that the thumb of the left hand covers the seventh, lower hole. Otherwise, the column of air inside the tube breaks, and the pity makes one uncontrollable sound. It is very important to develop a sense of the necessary force of air blowing. When extracting higher sounds, more breathing is required and vice versa. When sound is produced, the metal mouthpiece is not removed from the zhaleyka. It is best to get used to zhaleyka with the extraction of middle notes, and not extreme notes. In this case, the right feeling of the force of air blowing comes. On a pity, playing the piano is impossible. Excessive sound power is unacceptable. Controlling by ear, it is necessary to determine this limit for yourself. In the case of a clear overestimation of the force of air blowing, the pit will “stick”. It should be remembered that the top two notes do not have fine tuning and, in part, depend on the skill of the performer. Each sound corresponds to a certain number of open and closed holes. Each note has its own fingering. No "amateur activity" in this case is unacceptable. If the performer has experience playing the flute, recorder, etc., then getting to know the zhaleyka will not be more difficult for him. The predominant technique of playing the zhaleika is legato, in which sounds of different pitches are performed in one breath, with the help of clear and smooth fingering. Sounds good and "staccato". In this case, the tongue, touching the mouthpiece, cuts off the air supply after each note.

When mastering the zhaleyka, you may encounter such a problem: condensate and saliva naturally accompany the playing of this instrument and interfere with sound extraction. For trumpeters and other musicians, this problem is solved by the presence of a special valve, with which excess moisture is removed. There is no such device on the blade, so after a long game you need to carefully remove the aluminum mouthpiece and dry the ebonite squeaker and reed with a piece of newsprint. This should be done if the abundance of moisture clearly interferes with the game. Without this need, there is no need to disturb the cane once again. At the same time, one must vigilantly ensure that no crumbs of wet paper remain under the cane. Otherwise, the system of pity will be broken.

The sound is produced by a technique that can be conditionally called "dry spitting". With continued practice, the drying method will be used less and less and, over time, this will no longer be necessary. The mouthpiece, squeaker and reed must be kept especially clean. In addition to purely hygienic requirements, you need to know that a crumb of tobacco, for example, or a piece of thread, etc. caught in a cane, they can nullify all the work. Therefore, it would be good to wrap each zhaleyka in a separate plastic bag when moving. Folded together, they perfectly cushion when transported in a balalaika case along with a balalaika.

Setting up a zhaleika is a very delicate process. The cane is attached with two or three plastic rings, with two rings holding the cane, and the third is used for tuning. Moving the tuning ring a fraction of a millimeter away from the horn raises the pitch and vice versa.

The reed should only be replaced if it breaks, although it can last for years under normal use. Changing a cane is a rather tricky process. It is impossible to make two exactly the same canes, so the new cane will be different from the old one and will need to be “customized”. This operation must be started good mood, considering that success cannot be achieved in one minute. Having strengthened the new reed with cambric rings, it is necessary to carefully tune it. Good result also gives the reed movement along the slot of the ebonite beeper. In this case, the rings do not move, only the cane moves.

If the sound turns out to be “flimsy” and the reed sticks on the “tops”, it is necessary to free the reed from the rings and carefully cut its working end with a sharp knife by a fraction of a millimeter. This thickens the vibrating part of the reed and thickens the sound. In the event that the sound turns out to be clearly rough, it is necessary to remove the cane, press it firmly against a piece of glass (a mirror, for example) and scrape working part with her razor blade, bringing it to nothing. Thus, the vibrating part of the reed becomes thinner. good recommendations clarinetists can give you instructions on how to make a plastic cane for a pity.

When did the regret appear? Where did the word "poor" come from?

Why is the zhaleyka considered a Russian folk instrument?

The history of the creation of the tool "pity" (accessible to children).

Description of the musical instrument "pity".

Musical instrument: Zhaleika

At one time, Grigory Alexandrov's wonderful comedy "Merry Fellows" about the funny adventures of the talented and cheerful shepherd Konstantin Potekhin was very popular in our country. The film has such comic episodes that caused uncontrollable laughter from the audience.

Bones' pets: cows, sheep and piglets, having heard the familiar sounds of their shepherd's instrument, which during dinner party asked to play some music, broke into the main hall and committed a grandiose pogrom there. Animals, even those related to livestock, are quite intelligent creatures, distinguishing well and always following a familiar sound, so many shepherds used to skillfully play folk wind instruments, as this helped them a lot in their work. Shepherds enjoyed special respect for the flute, horn and zhaleyka - an old Russian folk instrument, originally used in Rus' in funeral rites. Her interesting name, comes either from the word pity, or from the word regret.

The history of pity and many interesting facts read about this musical instrument on our page.

Sound

The sound of a pity can be characterized by such words as loud, shrill, assertive and even noisy. It is practically devoid of overtones and dynamic shades are almost beyond its control. The timbre color of the instrument has a compassionate and slightly nasal tone.

The sound of the instrument is the result of the vibration of the reed, which occurs under the influence of the air blown in by the performer.

Zhaleika, which mainly has a diatonic scale, can also be chromatic.

The range of the instrument, depending on the number of sound holes, is very small and includes only one octave.

It is not easy to play the zhaleyka, since accurate intonation on the instrument requires great skill from the performer.

Photo:

Interesting Facts

• Zhaleika is probably the only instrument that has so many names in one country. It is called duda, flat, squeaker, keychain, sipovka, zhalomeyka, squeaker, okladushka or just a horn.
• The sound of the pity is so loud that it can be heard at a distance of six kilometers.
• In Rus', the shepherd in the village was considered very important person whom everyone respected. He got up before everyone else with the first rays of the sun and played the awakening signal on his instrument. Passing by a house, the shepherd performed a certain tune, the hostess, having heard him, knew that it was time for her to drive out the cow.
• The best performers on the zhaleyka in Russia were not professional musicians, but shepherds.
• The shepherd, playing his instrument, could easily collect the animals. Even a lost cow found its way into the herd by the sound of a familiar instrument.
• A whole generation of lovers Soviet stage the name of the wonderful singer Valentina Vasilievna Tolkunova is well remembered. The very diverse repertoire of the artist included two very popular songs in which the old Russian instrument zhaleika was displayed very poetically.

Design

A rather simple design of a zhaleyka includes a tube, a bell and a mouthpiece (beep).

• The tube, whose length varies from 10 to 20 cm, has a cylindrical shape. If earlier shepherds for its manufacture used mainly reed cane, willow, maple and elderberry, today the material used is very diverse. This is apple wood, mahogany, as well as ebonite and aluminum. On the tube shaft there are usually from 3 to 7 sound holes.
• The bell, which acts as a resonator, is attached to the lower end of the tube. For the most part, it is made from cow horn or birch bark. The junction of the pipe and the horn is usually decorated with a ring, which is usually made of brass.
• The mouthpiece, called the squeaker, is located at the top of the instrument. This is a small tube of a certain size and shape, made of wood, ebonite, metal or plastic. A single cane (tongue) made of reed or thin plastic is attached to the squeaker with the help of two so-called cambric.

Varieties

The zhaleyka family is very diverse and includes instruments that differ in size, pitch, tuning and design.

Zhaleyki, differing in size and pitch: piccolo, soprano, alto and bass.

Tools that differ in design are a keychain and a double zhaleyka.

The key fob, unlike the zhaleyka, has a softer sound, since the bell is made not of cow horn, but of birch bark, and a double tongue is used instead of a single tongue.

Double stinger - a tool, the design of which consists of two tools connected together. It is possible to perform two-voice melodies on a double zhaleyka.

Story

Today, unfortunately, we cannot trace the history of zhaleyka from the very beginning of its occurrence. Wind instruments have existed on Russian soil since time immemorial. In the era of Kievan Rus, they were necessarily used in military affairs: they warned of danger by making the so-called protective sounds, and also appeased princes at feasts and amused ordinary people at festive festivities. Unfortunately, accurate description no one gives us the instruments that our ancestors played, and even in the ancient chronicles there is almost no mention of them.

We also know very little about zhaleika, only information has come down to us that she was an indispensable participant in funeral rites, called "zhaleniya". Perhaps because of this worldly custom, the instrument has such strange name. Also, zhaleyka was very loved by the shepherds, who used it not only in their direct work, but also to amuse people at various holidays. In addition, the instrument was in demand among amusing people popular in Rus' in the 15-17 centuries - buffoons, whose performances were very fond of the common people. However, the performances of these wandering artists often contained caustic attacks on secular and ecclesiastical authorities, causing them serious discontent. As a result, in the middle of the 17th century, during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov, buffoons were disgraced and persecuted, and their tools were ruthlessly destroyed, as a product of demonic forces. At that time, Russian national musical culture was dealt a severe blow, and it suffered heavy losses. But, nevertheless, the shepherd's pity continued to sound and traditionally meet the first rays of the rising sun with its sound.

The era of the revival of interest in national culture came at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. Thanks to true patriots, including V. Andreev, N. Privalov, O. Smolensky, G. Lyubimov and other enthusiasts, many Russian folk instruments received a second life. They were not only restored, but significantly improved, and then introduced into the first orchestra of Russian folk instruments under the direction of V. Andreev. Zhaleyka, and to be quite precise, its variety - the keychain has also undergone some changes and has also found its rightful place in the orchestra. The keychain, in contrast to the zhaleyka, had a softer sound, as it was made entirely of nonsense - a variety of willow tree, hence the name of the instrument. Improvement of the zhaleyka continued, in the workshops of musical instruments created in Moscow by G.P. Lyubimov, an ethnographer, musician, performer and conductor, an attempt was made to create an instrument with a chromatic system. In the future, the soloist of the Great Russian Orchestra conducted by V. Andreev O.U. Smolensky, a harpist and a pitiful player, constructed instruments of various sizes: piccolo, soprano, alto and bass, which were later used in the pitiful quartet, and then in the famous "horn choirs". To date, zhaleyka as a solo instrument is used very rarely, mainly its sound is used in Russian orchestras. folk instruments, as well as ensembles performing folk music.

IN Lately attention to the old Russian folk wind instruments, including the zhaleyka, is constantly increasing. Many musicians enthusiastically try to master the art of performing on them. This trend suggests that interest in national culture is growing, and with it, in the musical instruments that our ancestors played. Ancient folk wind instruments and not only will not be forgotten, but will also be preserved performing arts on them.

Video: listen to pity