InstrumentS
The instrument Tamburica belongs to the group of the chordophones – instruments, whose tone results from the vibration of the strings – and is a lute. It is related to the Spanish guitar, the Italian mandolin, the Russian Balalaika, the Ukrainian Bandura or the Greek Busuki.
On the occasion of the world exposition in Vienna in 1888, the Tamburica was to be heard in Austria for the first time. As a consequence, the first Tamburica groups were founded in Vienna. The history of the Tamburica in the Burgenland started in 1923. It was iniciated by students an members of the croation culture club in Vienna to found a Tamburica group. After having brought and introduced the instruments to the Burgenland, the first Tamburica group was founded in Baumgarten. Further foundations followed in Neuberg, Oslip, Trausdorf and Unterpullendorf.
In the year 1938 the activity of the groups had a bitter ending since they were dissolved and the instruments destroyed.
After World War II the Tamburica group was reactivated in Unterpullendorf. In the northern Burgenland the first Tamburica group was called into being in Klingenbach in the year 1957. The increase of popularity in this time is due to the teaching of Tamburica in grammar schools.
The Bisernica (I, II, III)
The Bisernica is the highest melodic instrument and roughly corresponds to a violin. The range of this instrument is - independent of the different systems - about 2 to 2 ½ octaves. All instruments of our orchestra are, except the Bugarija, tuned in fifths. The tuning of the Bisernica lies between the one and two bowed octave space. Determined by its short neck and its tightened strings the Bisernica produces the harshest sound.
The Brač (I, II, III)
The Brač represents a further member of the melodic instruments. Its range is equal to the Bisernica, however, its tuning is one octave lower. Through the longer strings the Brač offers a softer sound.
The Čelović
The Čelović can be seen as a low melodic instrument. Its tuning lies in the range of the big respectively small octave.
The Čelo
The function and the tuning of the Čelo in the Tamburica orchestra correspond to those of the Cello in a string orchestra.
The Bugarija
The Bugarija (bugariti - to wail, lament) has the function of the rhythmic instrument in the Tamburica orchestra and is played in accords. The Bugarija can be compared to the guitar. The difference is that the guitar is tuned in fifths and the Bugarija in thirds.
The Berde
The Berde represents the bass in the Tamburica orchestra. Its tuning lies in the range of the sub-resp. big octave. In contrast to the other instruments which are played with a plectrum (croat. trzalica), the Berde is “activated” by the thumb.