Ancient Egyptian Music

Idiophones

• IHY = clappers– NA’TA’HI = bone clappers– MA’H = artificial hands and feet clappers

• SEHEM = sistrum of pottery body with metal jangles

• SES / SESSET = sistrum of metal body with metal jangles

Membranophones

• TEBEN = drum– DARABUKKA = vase-shaped drum– QEMQEM = cylinder-shaped drum– A’SHE = barrel-shaped drum

• SER = tambourine

Aerophones

• SEBA’ / SEBY = flute

• WA’YR / WA’DI / WA’D’AI / WA’DENI = recorders / photinx

• MA’ = reed pipe– MET = single reed pipe– IS = double reed pipe– ISIT = parallel double reed pipe– A’A’T = angular double reed pipe

• ‘AB/ ‘ABW / DEB = animal horn

• SNEB = trumpet

• “hydraulis” = water organ

IS / ISIT

Chordophones

• BEN / BENT / BIN / BINT = bow harp

• DA’DA’T / DA’DA’NEWT = horizontal harp

• KENA’NA’WR = kithara

• NEFER = long-necked lute

BEN / BENT / BIN / BINT

DA’DA’T / DA’DA’NEWT

KENA’NA’WR

NEFER

Worship Music and Musicians

• HERW = “voice”

• SEM’AYT = female temple musician (harem of the god)

• NEHWT = lamentation