Size and type

Bisernica

The bisernica is the smallest instrument of the orchestra, with three double chorus strings. Typical style of playing is the “trzanje“, a tremolo style. With this technique the typical smooth, soft tone is produced, like you may hear it from the other similar instruments, like the mandolin and the balalaika.

The bisernica mostly takes the first or highest score or florid passages, segues etc. of a musical piece.

Brač

The brač is a little larger instrument than the bisernica, but is played in same technique. According to its size it creates a more sonorous and lower-pitched sound than the bisernica.

This instrument usually takes the melody part or the second or third score in a polyphonic piece.

Čelo & Čelovič

Those instruments have almost the same size as a bugarija. Their purpose is to give the music not only a certain dynamic, but also to accentuate other special concinnities of a song.

Bugarija

The bugarija is similar to a guitar, but usually with three (double chorus) or four strings only. The bugarija is a typical back-up instrument, which comps and mostly plays only the “contra” (response stroke) to the berde. It is the only instrument of the orchestra which plays chords.

Berde

The berde (in Croatia called “berda”) is the biggest instrument of a tamburica orchestra. It is played without bow – in contrast to a double-bass in a classical orchestra. The berde gives the musical and rhythmic fundament on which the entire orchestra bases. Significant for the Croatian folk music is the interaction between berde and bugarija (base stroke – contra stroke).

Systems

„Jankovič System“ – three-voice system

In this system the instrument has six strings, arranged in 3 double chorus strings in a quint interval (G – D – A).

„Srijemski System“ – four-voice system

There are also instruments with four strings tuned in a quart interval. Usually they have five strings, from which only the two highest are double chorus.

 Strings

„Jankovič System“

„Srijemski System“