Elena Olzeeva, About Playing Dombra

Abstract

Elena explains the difference between Torghut and Derbet styles of playing the dombra instrument. She also says that she first saw the dombra when she was visiting her relatives. Her aunt Bebyash was playing the dombra, and the guests were singing. From that time on Elena wanted to learn to play this instrument. She says she had a songbook in which she wrote down songs, but her friend lost it. When Elena studied at a music school she learnt to play dombra by hearing. Later a new teacher taught them how to use musical notes. When Elena began to play better, her father said to her that she must have inherited it from her grandmother Boova who played dombra well.