World Music | Week 10 | The Morin Khuur

Summary

The script explores the Mongolian horsehead fiddle, 'Morin Khuur,' a two-stringed, fretless instrument with a horse-head carved top, symbolizing the deep bond between Mongolians and horses. Played with a bow and open-tuned to A and B, it imitates natural and animal sounds, reflecting Mongolia's nomadic culture and spiritual connection to nature. The Morin Khuur is integral to throat singing and storytelling, showcasing unique playing techniques and the balance of life it represents.

Takeaways

• 🎻 The Morin Khuur, also known as the Mongolian horsehead fiddle, is a two-stringed fiddle used in Mongolian music and is considered a trademark of the region's music.
• 🐎 The name 'Morin Khuur' translates to 'horse head fiddle', reflecting the horse head design at the top of the instrument, symbolizing the bond between Mongolian culture and the horse.
• 🎵 The Morin Khuur is played with a bow and is fretless, requiring the player to have excellent hearing to achieve the correct pitch.
• 🎶 The instrument has open tuning with the highest string tuned to A and the lower string to F, creating a fourth interval between the strings.
• 🌿 The sound production of the Morin Khuur is closely related to nature and the spiritual world, often imitating the sounds of the Mongolian steppes and grasslands, as well as animal sounds like horses and camels.
• 👂 The instrument's sound is intended to imitate nature, which is significant given that a large portion of the Mongolian population is nomadic and lives among these landscapes.
• 🎼 The Morin Khuur is not only used for entertainment but also accompanies throat singing and storytelling, serving as a melodic instrument in various musical contexts.
• 🎵 The instrument can be played solo but also complements other forms of music, showcasing its versatility in Mongolian music.
• 👤 The video features a performer who is well-versed in both contemporary and traditional Mongolian music, providing insights into the Morin Khuur's construction and playing techniques.
• 👂‍🎻 The performer highlights the unique ways of playing the Morin Khuur and its construction that relates to animal sounds and nature.
• 🌐 The history of the Morin Khuur is tied to the nomadic lifestyle and the desire to connect with nature, as well as the cultural importance of the horse in Mongolia.

Q & A

What is the Mongolian horsehead fiddle called in English?

The Mongolian horsehead fiddle is called 'Maureen Core' in English, which translates to 'horse head fiddle' in Mongolian.

What is unique about the construction of the Maureen Core?

The Maureen Core is unique because it has a horse head at the top of the instrument, and it is a two-string fiddle played with a bow and without frets.

How does the Maureen Core produce sound?

The Maureen Core produces sound by imitating nature and animal sounds, particularly those of horses and camels, which are closely related to the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle.

What is the tuning of the two strings on the Maureen Core?

The two strings of the Maureen Core are tuned to A (the highest string) and F (the lower string), creating an open tuning with a fourth interval.

Why is the Maureen Core considered a trademark of Mongolian music?

The Maureen Core is considered a trademark of Mongolian music because of its unique sound, its historical significance, and its close connection to the spiritual and natural world of Mongolia.

How is the Maureen Core used in traditional Mongolian performances?

The Maureen Core is used not only as a solo instrument but also to accompany throat singing and storytelling, serving as a melodic instrument in traditional performances.

What is the significance of the horse in Mongolian culture, as reflected by the Maureen Core?

The horse is a symbol of the Mongolian army and the country, representing the bond between Mongolians and their horses, which is why the Maureen Core, with its horsehead design, cherishes this relationship.

Why are there only two strings on the Maureen Core?

The two strings on the Maureen Core represent a balance of life, which is an important concept in Mongolian culture and is expressed through the instrument's sound.

How does the Maureen Core connect to the natural world?

The Maureen Core connects to the natural world by imitating the sounds of the steplands and grasslands of Mongolia, as well as the sounds of animals that are part of the nomadic lifestyle.

What are some of the playing techniques demonstrated by the performer in the video?

The performer in the video demonstrates unique playing techniques that involve creating different sounds to imitate nature and animals, showcasing the versatility of the Maureen Core.

How does the Maureen Core reflect the nomadic lifestyle of Mongolians?

The Maureen Core reflects the nomadic lifestyle by connecting the players with nature through its sound, and by being an instrument that can be played during long journeys, mirroring the long songs and stories of the nomads.