Music of Gor

~ MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ~

~Czehar~

Eight stringed rectangular instrument able to be tuned,
held across the lap, and played with a horned pick. A melodious sound.

The czehar is a long, low, rectangular instrument. It is played, held across the lap.
It has eight striings plucked with a horn pick.
From Kajira of Gor. pg. 108

~Herlit-Bone Whistle~

Made from the wing bones of the taloned Herlit. Used by the Kaiila tribe in performance of the pole dance.

~Kalika~

Six adjustable strings cross a flat bridge, leading up the long neck of the instrument. Similar to a banjo or perhaps a guitar on earth. The instrument is plucked.

~Lyre~

Stringed instrument.
(Master Andreas of the Caste of Poets had a lyre beneath His robes)

~~~~~~~~Wind~~~~~~~~

~Flute and Double Flute~

Used to accompany dances or on the street; the melodies are clear and resonant.

~Trumpet~

Metal instrument; sounding like the trumpets and cornets of earth.

~~~~~~~~Drums~~~~~~~~

~Kaska~

Small hand drum covered with taut animal skin.

~Red Hunter's Drum~

Large (2.5 feet in diameter), heavy, disklike drum, utilizing a Tabuk hide cover for the frame. Played by beating a stick against its frame with one hand while holding the Drum in the other; it takes strength, giving a rather odd resonance.

~Tabor~

Small hand drum covered in verr skin.
Tuned by adjusting the pegs to create and loosen tension.

~Tarn Drums~

Large drums used to control tarn armies;
also used to set the pace for large army marches.

~~~~~~~~Other~~~~~~~~

~Bits of metal on wires~

These can be shaken, or beaten together for rhythmic accompaniment.
Sound is delicate and light, depending on the size of the metal pieces.

~Cymbals~

Can be varied sizes, from finger size to a large size, similar to those on earth.
Sound is sharp, delicate and bright. Zills are finger cymbals.

~Gourds filled with pebbles~

Shaken for rhythmic accompaniment.

~Notched Stick~

Played by sliding a tem-wood stick across the surface.

~Sistrum~

As an early Egyptian rattle used in religious ceremonies.

~Slave Bells~

Mounted on ankles, hand rings, or in the hair.

~Tambourine~

Round rhythmic instrument with varied bones, shells, or sticks attached to the sides. It is shaken.

MUSIC & SONGS

I have never seen a bowed instrument on Gor; also, I might mention, I have never on Gor seen any written music; I do not know if a notation exists; melodies are passed on from father to son, from master to apprentice.
From Nomads of Gor pg. 153

Archaic Hymns:

Sung in archaic Gorean in the temple of Initiates.

Block Melodies:

Powerful sexually stimulating melodies for the displaying
of slave girls for potential buyers.

Blue Sky Song:

Sung by the Wagon people, sang also before going into battle at the gates of Turia.

Caravans of Tor:

Love song, accompanied by the kalika about the caravans of Tor

The Hope of Tina:

A Cosian melody about a slave yearning to be pleasing.

The Men of Torvaldsland Sing at the Oars:

A song without words sung to commemorate the success of their
mission in the temple of the high Initiate of Kassau.

The Ten Maids of Hammerfest:

A rowdy river song sung by pirates

A Song of Tarl of Bristol and Glorious Ar:

A song describing the deeds of Tarl Cabot and his heroic courage
in defeating the Master Assassin Pa-Kur.

Songs of the Red Hunters:

Songs of the "moment" that have feeling and share emotion.

THE CASTE OF MUSICIANS

Musicians are part of the Singers and Poets;
Their colors are Aqua and Red