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.

Outlines

00:00

🎻 The Mongolian Morin Khuur: Symbol of Nomadic Culture

The first instrument explored in the script is the Morin Khuur, a two-stringed fiddle used in Mongolian music. This fretless instrument is played with a bow and is known for its horse head decoration, hence its name 'Morin Khuur' or 'Horse Head Fiddle.' The strings are tuned to A and B, with A being the highest. The sound production of the Morin Khuur is deeply connected to nature and is used to imitate the sounds of the Mongolian steppes and animals, particularly horses and camels. This connection to nature and the spiritual world is integral to Mongolian music, which is not just entertainment but also a form of storytelling and throat singing accompaniment. The script introduces a performer who plays the Morin Khuur in both contemporary and traditional Mongolian music, highlighting the unique playing techniques and the instrument's significance in Mongolian culture.

05:02

🎼 The Significance of the Two Strings: Balance of Life

The second paragraph delves into the symbolism and history of the Morin Khuur. The instrument's two strings represent a balance of life, a concept deeply rooted in Mongolian philosophy. The Morin Khuur is capable of producing a variety of sounds, including imitations of horse and camel noises, which are central to the nomadic lifestyle and the connection with nature. The performer explains that the instrument was created to express this balance and to connect the Mongolian people with their natural and spiritual surroundings. The script also mentions the importance of the horse in Mongolian culture, as it is a symbol of the country and its military, and the Morin Khuur was invented to cherish this bond. The unique sound of the instrument is demonstrated through musical examples, showcasing its ability to mimic the sounds of the Mongolian environment.

Keywords

💡Maureen Core

The 'Maureen Core' is a traditional Mongolian musical instrument, also known as the horse-head fiddle. It is a two-stringed fiddle played with a bow and is fretless, requiring the player to have an excellent sense of pitch. The instrument's name derives from the horse head carved at the top of the fiddle, symbolizing the deep cultural and historical connection between the Mongolian people and their horses. In the script, the instrument is described as a trademark of Mongolian music, used for spiritual and religious connections, as well as for accompanying throat singing and storytelling.

💡Fiddle

A 'fiddle' is a colloquial term for a violin, but in the context of the script, it specifically refers to the Mongolian horse-head fiddle. The fiddle is played with a bow and is unique for its lack of frets, which means players must rely on their hearing to produce the correct notes. The script emphasizes the fiddle's role in imitating natural sounds and animal noises, particularly those of horses and camels, which are integral to the nomadic lifestyle of Mongolia.

💡Bow

The 'bow' is a vital component used to play stringed instruments like the fiddle. It is a separate accessory that is drawn across the strings to produce sound. In the context of the script, the bow is used to play the Maureen Core, and the technique of bowing contributes to the unique sound production of the instrument, which is closely tied to the natural and animal sounds of the Mongolian steppes.

💡Fretless

Being 'fretless' refers to the absence of frets on the neck of a stringed instrument. Frets are typically used to indicate where notes can be played along the strings. The Maureen Core, as described in the script, is a fretless instrument, which means that the player must have a keen sense of pitch to produce the desired notes, adding to the challenge and uniqueness of playing this traditional Mongolian fiddle.

💡Horse Head

The 'horse head' is a significant feature of the Maureen Core, as it is the carved figure at the top of the instrument. It symbolizes the bond between the Mongolian people and their horses, which are central to their culture and history. The script explains that the horse head is not only a decorative element but also a representation of the spiritual and cultural importance of the horse in Mongolian life.

💡Open Tuning

'Open tuning' refers to the initial or standard tuning of a stringed instrument when it is strung up without any fret being pressed. For the Maureen Core, the script specifies that it is tuned to A and F, with A being the highest and F the lowest string. This tuning is integral to the sound of the instrument and its ability to imitate the sounds of nature and animals.

💡Nature

The term 'nature' in the script is closely related to the sound production of the Maureen Core. The instrument is said to imitate the sounds of the natural environment, such as the steplands and grasslands of Mongolia. This connection to nature is also tied to the spiritual and religious aspects of Mongolian music, as the script explains the instrument's role in reflecting the harmony between the natural world and the spiritual realm.

💡Imitation of Animal Sounds

The 'imitation of animal sounds' is a key aspect of the Maureen Core's musical expression. The script describes how the instrument can mimic the sounds of horses and camels, which are common animals in the Mongolian landscape. This ability to replicate animal sounds is not just a technical skill but also a cultural practice that connects the music to the daily life and environment of the nomadic people.

💡Throat Singing

'Throat singing' is a unique form of singing that involves the production of multiple pitches at the same time using the throat. In the script, it is mentioned that the Maureen Core is used to accompany throat singing, serving as a melodic instrument that complements the complex vocal techniques. This usage highlights the versatility of the Maureen Core in both solo performance and ensemble settings.

💡Long Songs

'Long songs' are a form of narrative song that is part of Mongolian musical tradition. The script mentions that the Maureen Core is used to accompany these long songs, which are likely to tell stories or convey historical accounts. This use of the instrument underscores its role in preserving cultural heritage and oral tradition.

💡Nomadic Lifestyle

The 'nomadic lifestyle' is central to the script's discussion of the Maureen Core. The instrument is said to reflect the way of life of the Mongolian nomads, who live among the steplands and grasslands and are constantly surrounded by their animals. The script suggests that the Maureen Core's sound and playing techniques are designed to connect the musicians with their natural and spiritual environment, mirroring the nomadic lifestyle's harmony with nature.

Highlights

The Morin Khuur, or horse head fiddle, is a two-stringed fiddle used in Mongolian music and is considered a trademark of Mongolian culture.

The Morin Khuur is played with a bow and is fretless, requiring the player to have excellent hearing to achieve the desired pitch.

The instrument's top features a horse head, hence the name Morin Khuur, which translates to 'horse head fiddle'.

The two strings of the Morin Khuur are tuned to A (highest) and F (lower), creating a fourth interval.

The sound production of the Morin Khuur is closely related to nature and is used to imitate the sounds of the Mongolian steppes and grasslands, as well as animal sounds.

Mongolian music has a spiritual and religious connection, which is reflected in the sound and use of the Morin Khuur.

The Morin Khuur is not only used for entertainment but also for accompanying throat singing and storytelling.

The instrument's sound is meant to imitate nature, including the landscapes and animals of Mongolia, reflecting the nomadic lifestyle.

The Morin Khuur is played in unique ways, with techniques that are demonstrated by the performer in the video.

The Morin Khuur is one of the earliest instruments invented by the nomadic people of Mongolia.

The bond between Mongolians and horses is deeply significant, with the horse being a symbol of the Mongolian army and country.

The two strings of the Morin Khuur represent a balance of life, a concept important in Mongolian culture.

The Morin Khuur can create a variety of sounds, including imitating the sounds of horses and camels.

The instrument is used to connect Mongolians with nature, reflecting their nomadic lifestyle and surroundings.

The performer in the video is a contemporary and traditional Mongolian musician, providing insight into the Morin Khuur's use in both contexts.

The video demonstrates the unique playing techniques of the Morin Khuur, showcasing its versatility and cultural significance.

Transcripts

so the very first instrument that we are

going to be exploring is called maureen

core so this refers to a fiddle that is

used in mongolia and this is one of the

instruments i would say that is kind of

trademark

of the music of mongolia this refers to

a two-string fiddle so this right here

is a fiddle it's played with a bow and

it's fretless there so there are no

frets for you to see where the notes are

so whoever plays the mooring chord needs

to have very very good hearing to be

able to get the right pitch that the

player wants here at the very top of

this fiddle is a horse head hence the

name maureen core which means horse head

fiddle yeah so the two strings for those

of you who are curious the two strings

are open tuning tuned to a b which is

the highest string as well as an f the

lower string so there is a fourth part

there here

the production of sound is very very

interesting okay it is used to it's very

very closely related to nature because

as i mentioned earlier that the music of

mongolia has a spiritual and religious

connection so this is where it happens

here the mooring called the production

of the sound so how it sounds like to

our ears is actually very closely

related to nature as well as the

imitation of animal sounds yeah so

you'll start to see that music

instruments and music in mongolia

doesn't just refer to music as we know

it as an entertainment form yeah but

music is much much closely linked to the

natural world and to the natural world

as well you have that connection to the

spiritual world okay so the sound of the

marine corps

is meant to imitate nature and nature

being the steplands and the grasslands

of mongolia and the imitation of animal

sounds which includes horses and camels

things like that you know why why is

this the case because 13 remember of the

population are nomadic so they live

among these steplands and grassland

areas of mongolia and they are

surrounded constantly by their animals

as well which include horses you could

have camels things like that here so the

production of the marine corps the more

coral sound is said to imitate the sound

of the instruments and the nature and

the animals around

them yeah so

this particular instrument is very very

important it's used to not just not just

for entertainment but used for

accompanying throat singing so it's a

melodic instrument that is accompanying

throat singing long songs which we'll be

learning about as well as storytelling

so while it can be played as a solo

instrument it also accompanies other

types of music making so we're now going

to be watching a video of a marine corps

performer talk about this instrument

here so he's not only a performer but

he's also a performer that doubles both

in contemporary as well as traditional

mongolian music here so he he i would

say he's the perfect person to talk

about the instrument and what i want you

to observe is how he talks about the

production of this sound of this

instrument as well as how it's played

some of you may start to see that

they're very very unique ways of playing

uh this particular instrument so do take

note of two things one the construction

of the instrument and how it's related

to certain animal sounds and nature

which i have pointed out as well as the

playing techniques that he demonstrates

instruments called mongolian horsehead

fiddle if you translate it to mongolia

it's modern core

so this instrument is actually one of

the earliest instruments that nomad

people came up with why they invented

this instrument was they cause

mongolian horses

one of our

image of our culture image of our

gnomets

the bond between mongolian and horse

is like no other

this is one of the oldest instrument

when kuns when they first created this

they wanted to cherish

their horse

because without horse numbers wouldn't

go anywhere at that time it was there

was no machine there was no

it was especially mongolian weather

the way we leave is really harsh and

cold and when when all the soldiers when

they travel to a different country for

for their battle it's

for them it's um so hard without using a

horse so horse become a symbol of our

army and our our country

it's

there's not many instruments that are

only two-stringed

and the history of it it would say we

have a b on our lightest

lightest string and f on our

the lowest string it's called we we say

it is it's

it's a balance of life that's why we

have two strings

so the whole history of mongolians when

they created this instrument they wanted

to express a balance of life through

this instrument

and creating different sound different

types of sound of we with this

instrument we can create horse sound

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we can create camel sound

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and we

play a long

long song

which is

a really

really like nomadic lifestyle of they

wanted to connect their

connect themselves with

with nature with this instrument

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it

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so

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hmm

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you