The World Music Foundation

Happy Friday! It’s time for the Friday reveal. Did you guess this week’s correctly?

It is the… Domra! 🎶✨

The Domra is a traditional string instrument with a rounded body and a long neck, known for its bright, crisp, and ringing tone. While it may look similar to instruments like the mandolin, it has its own distinct voice and playing style that sets it apart.

What makes the Domra especially unique is its story. It was once widely played, then banned for a period of time due to political power in Russia before being rediscovered and carefully reconstructed. Because of this, the instrument represents not just music, but revival, resilience, and a deep appreciation for tradition being brought back to life.

Musicians play the Domra using a small pick, often performing rapid tremolo techniques that create a smooth, continuous, almost shimmering sound. Despite having just a few strings, skilled players can produce incredibly expressive melodies, ranging from lively and energetic to emotional and storytelling in nature. The Domra has become a powerful symbol, deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of Russia and Ukraine.

Please enjoy a Domra performance from a talented musician, Guzel Safiullina , and tune in next week for another What’s That Instrument Wednesday! 🔊

Yo-Yo Ma is a cellist known for blending classical traditions with sounds and influences from cultures around the world. He is known for his dedication to cultural connection and global collaboration.
The lessons we learn from each other are a gift, every tradition, story and perspective passed down shapes who we become. Growth is not exclusively about personal successes. It is also about carrying forward what we've been taught and making it stronger for the next person.
What is something you learned recently that changed you? How have you reflected on the experience?

What would you call it if Han Solo played the UFO drum?👀

.. A Hang- Solo!🥁

Check out this incoming transmission of an out of this world hang - solo by from our Together25 livestream.

May the 4th be with you!

Ready for the reveal? This weeks instrument is....
🥁🥁🥁The Hardanger Fiddle!

Did you guess it right?

This instrument has been central to traditional music in Norway for centuries, often leading lively dance gatherings featuring dances like Springar, Gangar, and the energetic Halling. These dances are known for their flowing turns and rhythmic steps, with the fiddler guiding the pace while dancers move in close partnership across the floor. In the athletic halling, dancers may even leap or kick a hat placed high on a stick, showing both skill and strength.

The instrument is also a work of art. Skilled makers carefully carve and build each instrument, often decorating it with detailed floral patterns, inlaid materials, and a distinctive carved head at the top of the instrument’s neck. These designs reflect regional traditions and the pride communities take in their musical heritage.

Many musicians begin learning this instrument at a young age, often taught by family members or local musicians and learning tunes by ear rather than from written music. Beneath its four main strings lie 4–5 sympathetic strings that resonate with the notes played above them, giving the instrument its distinctive shimmering sound.

To bring out these resonances, players can use over 100 different tunings each shaping the character and rhythm of the dance music.

Please enjoy this performance by the talented Rachel Nesvig (.nesvig). A special thank you to the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America () for connecting us to Rachel!

Tune in next week for another What’s That Instrument Wednesday!

Frank Ocean has left a legacy in the music industry as a pioneer of alternative R&B and q***r visibility in the 2010s, especially within the hip-hop community. Frank Ocean came out a week before releasing his first album, “channel ORANGE,” by sharing his true feelings about his love with another man when he was younger. This was a pivotal moment, as there were few artists in his industry who were open about their sexuality at the time. Knowing he would receive criticism, Ocean came out to the public to live authentically as himself. Receiving critical acclaim and widespread support from artists, Frank Ocean became a pioneer of alternative R&B. To this day, Frank Ocean stands as a powerful Black q***r icon in the music industry, and his songs continue to resonate with the LGBTQ community and general audience. His song “Chanel” is number six on Billboard’s 100 Greatest LGBTQ+ Anthems of All Time. Remember a time when you stayed true to yourself? Share your thoughts below!

Welcome back for another Friday reveal! Did you guess this week’s correctly? It’s the… Brazilian cuíca! 🔅🎶

The cuíca is a Brazilian friction drum known for its distinctive sound, produced by rubbing an internal stick. The drumhead is usually made of goat skin, and a rosined bamboo stick is attached to its underside inside the instrument. Players commonly use a shoulder strap to support the instrument while performing.

It is hard to pinpoint its exact origin, but it was brought to Brazil by the Bantu people from Central and Southern Africa. It is closely tied to samba music, which in its current form developed in Rio de Janeiro. Cuícas are a staple in samba schools across Brazil that practice samba and perform at the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. These schools perform in groups, featuring a large section of cuíca players, with some reaching up to 20 people, who parade through a massive arena during the Carnival festival.

To create sound and rhythm, players stick their hand inside the drum while grabbing a wet cloth with their three fingers (their thumb, index, and middle finger) and move along the bamboo stick. Musicians can change the pitch by how hard they grip the rod or by placing their other hand on the drumhead and pressing at different spots to increase or decrease pressure. It is said to resemble a monkey's voice, with many calling it the “monkey drum”, while others say it sounds like a female lioness, luring in male lions.

Please enjoy this performance of the cuíca from Gui Reis and tune in next week for another What’s That Instrument Wednesday! Gui Reis is a talented and wonderful cuíca musician and teaches cuíca lessons online! Check his Instagram page here: 🌅💫

From his film scores to his early work in the synth-pop genre, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s four-decade-long discography remains timeless and innovative, revealing his never-ending creativity. During his time in Yellow Magic Orchestra, a Japanese electronic band, he and his bandmates showcased their musicality and genre-bending music by combining traditional Japanese music with electronic sounds. Sakamoto cemented his spot in the industry as one of the leading innovative composers, winning Best Original Score for “The Last Emperor” in 1988. Sakamoto doesn’t shy away from genres, but instead experiments with them. He released his album titled “12,” a 12-track ambient and modern classical yet emotional album that showcases his raw emotions battling cancer, in 2023, sadly passing away that same year. Sakamoto’s legacy continues to inspire musicians today, showcasing that it is okay to take different paths in music and to experiment with its possibilities. What sparks your creativity? Let us know below!⁠
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#坂本 龍一