Domra on the Promenade

While assisting a colleague (standing around while he worked) on T19, I heard what sounded like a mandolin in the distance. So, I leave my capable colleague and work my way up to the promenade where a street musician was playing a three string domra to a music backing track.

I asked him what kind of instrument he was playing. He said that many people think its a mandolin. But, it really is a domra. Mandolins have a milder sound than the domra (not the way I play:).

I told him I have friends in Kazakhstan who would look for a four string domra for me. He said that the dombra is an entirely different instrument. 1. It has two strings. 2. it has nylon strings, like for fishing. 3. It is plucked with fingers not with a plectrum.

I reiterated not a dombra but a four string domra. He said that it would be hard to find in Kazakhstan, but to look in Petersburg on such and such street at such and such store. Unfortunately I did not have a pen and paper to write it down. Maybe this is a task for молодая мама.

Then worked called and it was time to climb down into another hole in the ground.