When forming the ensemble, it was decided to upgrade the ancient Lithuanian folk instruments and form a folk instrument orchestra. The concert practice called for the development of timbrally rich, technically flexible, acoustically strong, and modally broad instruments. It was suggested to include kanklės (zither) and its modernized version klaviklės, skudučiai (panpipes), mediniai trimitai (wooden trumpets), daudytės (pipes), lamzdeliai (recorders), birbynės (folk clarinets), tošelės (reeds), pūslinė (a bow made from a pig’s bladder filled with dried peas), skrabalai (cow bells), tabalai (gongs), and other rattles, as well as certain shepherd instruments.
*The words in italics are the correct names of instruments in the Lithuanian language.
Lamzdeliai (lumzdeliai)
A traditional lamzdelis is a shepherd’s instrument made of peel or wood. It has 3-9 sound holes, usually combined with major sounds. The repertoire consists of shepherds’ rallies – recitations of the scope of the tertiary, researches – virtuosic improvisations, songs, contractuals, and dances. Lamzdelis was first mentioned by J. Bretkūnas in 1580.
The orchestra of the ensemble uses improved chromatic lamzdeliai made of ebonite, range C2 – G4 (recorded in an octave below). The instrument is technically very flexible, also the closest to playful music. Solo works with the support of other folk instruments were also created for lamzdelis. The lamzdelis is usually played as a side instrument by birbynininkai (reed-pipe players).
*The words in italics are the correct names of instruments in the Lithuanian language.
Birbynė (reed-pipe)
The orchestra of the ensemble uses three types of improved birbynė: high (soprano), tenor, and double-bass. The mouthpiece has an attached reed. The tenor reed-pipe is longer than the high one, slightly thicker, and its sound is dark and warm. The timbre of the double-bass reed-pipe reminds of the sound of a contrabassoon. The high reed-pipe is the main melodic instrument of the orchestra, and their group forms the basis of the orchestra. Programs of the ensemble include a group of reed-pipes – a quintet. A reed-pipe may often be heard as a solo.
*The words in italics are the correct names of instruments in the Lithuanian language.
Kanklės (plucked string musical instrument)
National instruments of the type kanklės (plucked string musical instrument) are found in the entire Baltic region. There are three types of traditional kanklės in Lithuania that originate from the northeast part of Aukštaitija, the western part of Aukštaitija and Žemaitija, and the western part of Žemaitija and Suvalkija. In the second part of the 20th century, many musical schools were established with departments of national instruments. The joint orchestra of kanklės may be heard in national song festivals. Kanklės were first mentioned by J. Bretkūnas in 1580. The orchestra of the ensemble uses three kinds of modified kanklės: the high, the bass, and the double-bass. Kanklės help to maintain harmony and rhythm in the orchestra of national instruments; sometimes, it is used for guiding the melody.
*The words in italics are the correct names of instruments in the Lithuanian language.
Skrabalai (wooden bells)
Traditional skrabalai are small wooden trapezoid-shaped troughs with wooden clappers inside them. Some wooden bells do not have clappers. The pitch of the sound very much depends on the size of the trough. The ensemble uses type two skrabalai made of 27 troughs, arranged in seven lines. The frame of skrabalai is put into sheaths on the sides of the stump (drum). Skrabalai has been used by the orchestra since 1947.
*The words in italics are the correct names of instruments in the Lithuanian language.
Molinukai
Little dogs, birds, and horses, made of clay with several sound holes, covering which allows producing several tones reminiscent of a flute – are used only occasionally in the orchestra. Their diapason is G-E2.
Skudučiai (panpipes)
Skudučiai (panpipes) is a musical instrument popular in northeastern Aukštaitija. It is a set of 5-8 pipes, used for playing instrumental glees. The ensemble uses a set of 29 skudučiai, covering a diapason of C1– E3.
*The words in italics are the correct names of instruments in the Lithuanian language.
Labanoro dūda (bagpipe)
Also called dūdmaišis (bagpipe), it is known in many European countries. It consists of four parts: leather windbag (air reservoir), chanter, drone, and blowing pipe. The instrument’s name comes from the town of Labanoras. The drone of the instrument used in “Lietuva” plays G1, and the chanter can play within C – C1.
*The words in italics are the correct names of instruments in the Lithuanian language.
Ožragis (goat-horn)
Ožragis (goat-horn) is popular in neighboring countries as well. The traditional type has 2 – 6 sound holes. The instrument used in “Lietuva” has birbynė’s mouthpiece, and its diapason covers the interval of a fourth – ožragis in D: D1-G1; ožragis in G: G1-C2.
*The words in italics are the correct names of instruments in the Lithuanian language.
Džingulis (jingle)
Džingulis (jingle) is a stick hugged with metal bells, used as an auxiliary rhythmic instrument. The drum consists of a circular frame with stretched skin, sometimes with scorching discs attached to the drum frame. Recently, the rhythmic group of the orchestra has been supplemented with drums of various sizes and other rhythmic instruments.
*The words in italics are the correct names of instruments in the Lithuanian language.
OTHER INSTRUMENTS
Daudytės (pipes) were used in northeastern Lithuania for performing instrumental sutartinės. These are straight wooden pipes (140 – 230 cm in length) providing 4 – 5 natural tones. The ensemble uses daudytės in C, D, F, and G.
Ragas (horn) is also used in performing sutartinės, however, it only produces 1 – 2 tones. The ensemble is in possession of seven horns.
Tabalai (percussion) a set of boards (50 – 90 cm), is used as a signal instrument. The ensemble uses five tabalai covering the interval of a fifth (G-D1).
Būgnelis (snare-drum) consists of skin stretched over a rounded frame. Sometimes jingle are attached to the frame. Recently, the orchestra’s rhythmic group was enlarged with drums of various sizes, other rhythmic instruments.
*The words in italics are the correct names of instruments in the Lithuanian language.