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{{Infobox Instrument
|image=Kazakh Dombra2.png
|image_capt=Kazakh dombra
|classification= 
*[[Plucked string instrument]]
|range= 
|related= 
*  [[Pandura]]
** [[Tambouras]]
** [[Tanpura|Tambura]]
}}

The '''dombra''' ({{lang-kz|домбыра}} '''dombıra'''; {{lang-uz|'dambura'}}; [[Bashkir language|Bashkir]] and {{lang-tt|'''dumbıra''', '''tumpıra''', '''tumra'''}}; {{lang-tr|'dombıra'}}) is a long-necked [[Turkic people|Turkic]] [[lute]] and a musical [[string instrument]].

The instrument shares some of its characteristics with the [[komuz]] and [[dutar]].

==Varieties==

The instrument differs slightly in different regions. The Kazakh '''dombra''' has [[fret]]s and is played by strumming with the hand or plucking each string individually, with an occasional tap on the main surface of the instrument. While the strings are traditionally made of sinew, modern dombras are usually produced using nylon strings. One of the greatest dombra players was the Kazakh folk musician and composer [[Kurmangazy Sagyrbayuly|Kurmangazy]], who had a great influence on the development of Kazakh musical culture, including music for the dombra; his musical composition "Adai" is popular in Kazakhstan and abroad.

In 2012 the ''elektrodomra'' was created.<ref>[http://dalaruh.kz/news/view/112 Дух Великой Степи — Электродомбра помогла казахстанской группе достичь вершин рок-чарта в США] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411020101/http://dalaruh.kz/news/view/112 |date=April 11, 2015 }}</ref>

The [[Turkestan]]i and [[Badakhshan]]i damburas are [[fret]]less<ref name="central">[http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/central_asia.htm Atlas of plucked instruments - Central Asia]</ref> with a body and neck carved from a single block of wood, usually [[mulberry]] or [[apricot]]. The dambura is played with much banging and scratching on the instrument to help give a [[percussion|percussive]] sound. The two strings are made of [[nylon]] (in modern times) or [[gut string|gut]]. They cross a short [[bridge (instrument)|bridge]] to a pin at the other end of the body. There is a tiny sound hole in the back of the instrument, while the top is thick wood. It is not finished with any [[varnish]], [[Filing (metalworking)|filing]]/[[sanding]] of any kind, and as with all other Turkic instruments there is some decoration.

The '''Dumbyra''' is the equivalent instrument of the [[Volga Tatars]] and [[Bashkirs]]. A performer strikes all the strings at the same time. The upper string performs the bourdon tone and the lower string performs the melody. A dumbura is used as a solo as well as an ensemble instrument.

==Dombra, ensemble and epic==
[[File:Celebration of Nowruz shared by several countries, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Turkey. 1.jpg|left|thumb|Playing the dombra]]
The Kazakh poet [[Abay Qunanbayuli]] is often shown holding a dombra at rest and many hold it in high regard as a symbol of nationalism among the post-[[Soviet Union|Soviet]] nations of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]]. The dombra is played by Erzhan Alimbetov in the [[Ulytau]] band.

From the 12th to the 18th century, the dumbura was used by Bashkir ''sasans'' to accompany their poetic legends and ''kubairs''. It is mentioned in the epic poem "Zayatulyak and Hiuhiliu". However, by the beginning of the 20th century, the dumbura was forgotten. The ''sasans'' were often the main ideologists of ethnic insurrections. So when the Russian administration put down an uprising, they punished the ''sasans'' and destroyed their dumburas.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} In the second half of the 20th century, several reconstructions were carried out. At present, the revivalist work continues. Among others, performer V. Shugayupov works on the revival of the dumbura. The modern wooden dumbura has a pear-shaped or an oval form.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}

==References in popular culture==
[[Image:Dombra eo.png|thumb|Dombra picture.]]
This instrument has become a part of an [[Internet phenomenon]] after a video clip from [[SuperStar KZ]], the Kazakh equivalent of the [[Idol series]], was posted on [[YouTube]]. The video includes two contestants singing and a third one singing and playing the dombra (Ernar Kaldynov), which caused the popularity. The name of the original song is Freestailo by R.Lizer, a Kazakh man.

Dombyra as an instrument is being popularized with mean of [[Dombyra Party|Dombyra Parties]], a flash mob-like movement of Kazakh youth organized via [[social media]]. The videos of Dombyra Party activities are shared on YouTube, Facebook etc.

==Range and tablature==
Many folk and regional tunings have been existing though below there is the most accepted academic DG tuning for standard concert dombra prima of Kazakhstan.
[[File:Kazakh dombra dombyra range tablature DG tuning.svg|1000px|center]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Music}}
* [[Lute#History and evolution of the lute]]
* [[Tanpura|tambura]] (a type of [[string instrument]] used as a drone)
* [[domra]] (a similarly pronounced Russian string instrument)
* [[kobyz]] (a bowed instrument, played like a [[cello]])
* [[baglama]]
* [[dutar]]
* [[Çiftelia]]
* [[Music of Central Asia]]
* [[Pandura]]

==Sources==
<references />

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
'''Kui on dombra'''
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQKMuppo_xQ&feature=plcp Kazakh national Kui - Nauai, author Dina Nurpeisova]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=251iezK9RYE&feature=relmfu Kazakh national Kui - Adai]
'''Other links'''
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPsUxLLeV1E Song "Dombira"] by [[Arslanbek Sultanbekov]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120817074145/http://radio.indymedia.org:80/en/node/40230 Dombıra - An Ancient Turkish Music Instrument]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6kRD0_qTbc&feature=related video clip] from [[SuperStar KZ]]


{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Necked bowl lutes]]
[[Category:Afghan musical instruments]]
[[Category:Bashkir musical instruments]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani musical instruments]]
[[Category:Kyrgyz musical instruments]]
[[Category:Russian musical instruments]]
[[Category:Tatar musical instruments]]
[[Category:Uzbekistani musical instruments]]