Donorian Traditional Music
Donorian music is made up of the instruments, tunes, and musical traditions of Donorian culture.
Donorian music is very rhythm based with harmony also being an important aspect especially for larger ensembles. Donorian folk music is often used to accompany dancing, singing, and other celebratory rituals. Very rarely is music played without singing or some sort of performance accompaniment.
Donorian folk music tends to be very rhythmic and often composed in a minor key, with variations depending on regional styles. There are also modernized music styles that combine traditional Donorian folk music with modern technology and influence from other cultures and planets.
Instruments
String Instruments
Pruvna
The Pruvna is a long-necked lute that is commonly played with a plectrum. It has six strings, with three courses -one string in the top course, two strings in the middle course, and three strings on the bottom course- and three tuning pegs. It has a long neck and an oblong diamond shaped body.
The Pruvna is typically used as an accompanying instrument, often accompanying a singer or storyteller in their performances. In these performances it is typically used to produce a rhythm, but when it is played in an ensemble with other instruments it is typically used to create a melody as well as rhythm.
Susin
The Sustin is a stringed lute instrument, smaller than the Pruvna, that is played with the fingers or with a plectrum. It has five strings, with the bottom most two being set in a course together, and four tuning pegs. It has a short neck and a rounded pear-shaped body.
The Sustin is often used to provide a melody and rhythm to a song, especially when there is no singing or other melody providing instrument. There are often vibrato and tremolo effects used in its playing, which add to its use in melodies.
Percussion Instruments
Osh Drum
The Osh drum is a percussion instrument played with wooden drum sticks. The drum has drumskins on both its upper and lower sides, which are connected by cording that allows the player to tune the instrument to a certain note. The drum itself typically sits on a stand while playing.
The Osh drum is used to provide a beat and rhythm to a musical ensemble; it is rarely played by itself unless for some sort of storytelling or acting performance. It is the primary percussion instrument in Donorian traditional music.
Wind Instruments
Hiba
The Hiba is a short transverse flute that produces a high pitched sound when played. The instrument has six finger holes used to change the note the player produces.
The Hiba is typically played in an ensemble, accompanying another instrument that produces the rhythm and beat. The Hiba is typically responsible for providing melody and harmony to the music. It often is used to accompany religious rituals and dances, it is rarely used to accompany singing.
Table of Contents
Donorian Singing
Singing is often used in Donorian folk music, typically being used to provide a melody and storytelling aspect to the ensemble. Singing is typically expressive and uses very chant-like speech. Typically there is only one vocalist in an ensemble so that the audience can focus on the emotion of the singer.
When used for storytelling performances, singers are often accompanied by an Osh drum or other percussion instrument or sometimes by the rhythmic playing of a Pruvna.
What a cool article. I like how you said that they only have one singers because they're empathic and they want to make a connection for this. That makes me think what or how would an empathic a person feel from a live music performance
Thank you! I felt like only having one singer would make sense since Donorians being empathic would probably get overstimulated if there were multiple singers doing performances; they only have one singer typically so people can really focus in on the emotion and feelings of the performance.