Hershey Felder, Hebrew Musical Instruments, A Vital Part Of Culture
Music is a great form of communication; it facilitates religious
ceremonies, and celebrates victorious battles. Jubal was the inventor
of Hebrew musical instruments. The whole Hebrew history and literature
are proving that the Hebrews are really committed to cultivate music.
We all remember that after the passage of the Red Sea, Moses and his
people sang their song of happiness and freedom.
The time of David and Solomon is the golden age of Hebrew music; it is
systematically cultivated and it is the main part of training in
schools. Hebrew musical instruments are also used in their private
life. Among the Hebrew musical instruments, an important place is given
to stringed instruments, such as the kinnor - a kind or farp, the nebel
? a lyre, the sabbeka- a lute. Among the wind instruments, we mention
the ugab ? a syrinx, the qeren ? a horn, the shophar ? a trumpet, the
hafsoserah ? a trumpet, the halil ? a flute, the sumponyah ? a bagpipe.
The Hebrew musical instruments from the percussion category are the
toph ? a drum, the paamon ? the bells, the tseltselim ? cymbals, the
mennan?im ? cornets, the shalishim ? triangles.
Old Hebrew musical instruments The bells were very important Hebrew
musical instruments; they were attached to the hem of the high priest?s
ephod. The cornet is named shophar in Hebrew because of its brightness
and its clear sound. Cymbals are also very popular Hebrew musical
instruments; two pieces of brass, one for each hand, are clashed
together to produce a really loud sound. The dulcimer is a Hebrew
musical instrument; it is a kind of lute. The flute is composed of a
number of pipes; it is common also among other people from Asia.
The harp (kinnor in Hebrew) is the national musical instrument of the
Hebrews; the harp was invented by Jubal and is used as accompaniment to
Hebrew songs such as praise to God. The horn is not only a Hebrew
musical instrument; it is also used metaphorically for strength and
honor, as emblems or power. The organ is a wind Hebrew musical
instrument, similar to the Pan?s pipe.
The psaltery is another Hebrew musical instrument, a king of lyre, with
twelve strings. The tabret is a one-sided drum, a kind of tambourine;
the timbrel is also a small drum or a tambourine. Trumpets are a large
variety of forms, and are made in different materials. Silver trumpets
are specific Hebrew musical instruments, and are used by the highest
priests to announce a war or a festival.
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