Egyptian Music
Egyptian Music
The Ancient Egyptians used a variety of musical instruments and this
page describes the music and the instruments which were played during
the period of the New Kingdom, when new musical ideas arrived from the
East. Egyptian music was divided into three groups:
Egyptian Music and
Musicians
The Ancient Egyptians loved music and talented musicians were in great
demand. Music provided a focal point at banquets and religious
ceremonies. The musicians of the Old Kingdom were traditionally men but,
as the ages passed, this trend had completely reversed by the advent of
the New Kingdom and the majority of musicians were women. There was no
written music, notes were not documented and music was learnt by ear and
memorised. Music was seen as an art form and the children of wealthy
Ancient Egyptians were taught to play musical instruments for their own
pleasure.
Egyptian Music -
Stringed Instruments
The following stringed instruments were used for creating the music of
the Ancient Egyptians:
-
Lyre - An
ancient plucked string instrument in the shape of a box,
similar to a harp, but smaller
-
The Oud - a
pear-shaped, stringed instrument
-
The Kithara was
a seven stringed lyre played by professional musicians
-
Harp - the size
of harps varied enormously, up to 6 feet tall
-
The Zummara
(Double Clarinet) consisting of two parallel cane or bamboo
pipes, with five or six holes each
-
Lute - a plucked
string instrument which was ancestor to the Oud
-
The Ney - an
end-blown flute
-
Kinnor a 10 - 12
string lyre
Egyptian Music -
Wind Instruments
The following wind instruments were used for creating the music of the Ancient Egyptians:
-
Oboe
-
Hasosra - a
trumpet (usually used at ceremonies)
-
Flute including
a Ugab which was a vertical flute
-
Clarinet
-
Shofar which was
a horn of a ram or goat
Egyptian Music -
Percussion Instruments
The following percussion instruments were used for creating the music of
the Ancient Egyptians:
Hathor, the Egyptian
God of Music
The Egyptian Goddess of Music, and Love, was called Hathor often
depicted with the head or horns of a cow. Many Ancient Egyptian
instruments were carved with her symbol.
Egyptian Music
Each section of this Egyptian website addresses all topics and
provides interesting facts and information about the Golden Age of
Egypt. The Sitemap provides full details
of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of Egypt, the Ancient Egyptians and of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, King Tut.
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