Related to the Chinese guzheng, this beautiful and delicate sounding instrument is a traditional fingernail-plucked Mongolian zither, the other hand applying pressure to strings to change the notes. Variously used in traditional court, aristocratic, and folk music, it also has a repertoire in contemporary classical music and film scores. It is played traditionally with one end over the knee, the other resting on the ground, but various forms of stands can also be employed.
Dating back to the 12th century, it comprised large wooden box that varies in size, 10 strings being common, 12 for royal court players, or even up 21 strings, all with bridges. The traditional Mongolian epic Janggar tells the story of a young princess who once played upon an 800-string yatga with 82 bridges, though that is a fantastical more than practical idea. Most yatgas are usually tuned on the pentatonic scale, such as C, D, E, A, G, or starting the F or E major scales. On some models the A string is green.
Smaller yatga detail
Here’s a demonstration as seen from above, with the right hand plucking, the left altering pitch and tone with a variety of delicate touches:
Here is a polished performance with harp-style flourishes, repeated vast notes across the same string and more by traditional Mongolian player Altantsetseg Badgar.
Combining traditionally techniques with more bending, and even some bow work, two yatgas at once, and with a dance beat, here’s Munkh-Erdene Chuluunbat bringing a more commercial vibe with the music of Mongolian composer B. Charav:
Another popular player G. Solongo shows her range with a western-influenced number titled Dreaming:
Finally, a far more formal concert with several instruments together rather beautiful yatga quintet Goolingoo Argagui Amrag:
So then, any more zurna music or cultural references come to mind? Feel free to share any further ones from songs, or even film, art or other contexts in comments below.
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