ancient_musical_instruments

Here’s a short Instagram-friendly version in English:

5 facts about the Kravik lyre ⤵️

▪️ Found at a medieval farm in Norway, not in a grave or shipwreck. Passed down as a family heirloom. Dated to the 16th century.

▪️ The original had 7 strings — the 8th peg hole was a restoration mistake.

▪️ No frets. You play open strings only — using arpeggios or damping techniques.

▪️ Just 7 notes = more creativity. Einar Selvik (Wardruna) says limits create hypnotic, meditative music.

▪️ Soft, quiet, chamber sound. Used for sagas, poetry, and playing by the hearth.

Today = Viking revival symbol
TV & neofolk made it famous. Modern luthiers add Oseberg carvings for that ancient magic.

Here are several interesting facts about the gudok (a historical Russian string instrument) we’d like to share with you today:

1. How the gudok differs from the violin
Unlike the violin, the strings of the gudok were arranged in the same plane. This allowed players to produce powerful three-string chords.
2. The gudok is very ancient
The earliest known fragment dates all the way back to the 11th century.
3. The “Amusement Chamber”
The gudok was considered an instrument of skomorokhi — wandering entertainers and “troublemakers” who were later persecuted by the church. However, during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, gudok players were actually kept on staff at the “Amusement Chamber” to entertain the royal court.
4. Beggar musicians
In old lubok prints and 19th-century engravings (for example, in the attached illustration titled “Stepan, the Blind Gudok Player from Pskov”), the gudok often appears in the hands of impoverished beggars.

Interestingly, almost no original instruments have survived to the present day. Only those specimens discovered during archaeological excavations have come down to us. Everything else is a careful reconstruction made by dedicated enthusiasts.

Due to the rise of astrology, we checked how zodiac signs buy instruments. Let’s go ⤵️

♈ Aries — demands a carnyx NOW. Changes mind in 5 min. Wants everything at once.

♉ Ta**us — researches for months, strokes every lyre, buys the first one they saw.

♊ Gemini — orders a cravi-lyre, then calls twice to change the order.

♋ Cancer — wants it packed «like a baby.» Sends photo of lyre under a blanket.

♌ Leo — demands the best & most expensive. Buys budget gusli, calls it exclusive.

♍ Virgo — brings printed specs. Checks every peg and string. Leaves calm.

♎ Libra — 90 min choosing lyre vs cravi-lyre. Buys both to avoid offending anyone.

♏ Scorpio — listens in silence. Nods. Pays. We have no idea why.

♐ Sagittarius — orders delivery to another city, train leaves in 20 min. Courier makes it.

♑ Capricorn — arrives at 3:00 PM sharp. Pays by invoice. Signs in duplicate.

♒ Aquarius — asks about birch origin & eco-certificate. Buys regular ones — «more honest.»

♓ Pisces — pays for talharpa, disappears. «Oh, did we really order it?»

It’s a joke, but kinda true, right? 😂