Children's Extra - Waterlooville Music Festival

In keeping with the special Festival edition of the Magazine, your pages also have a musical theme. Do you play an instrument? Perhaps you have just started lessons. Music played a huge part in the social and religious life of ancient Israel. There were three kinds of instruments - wind, string and percussion. They were played together in unison rather than in harmony. The music tended to be rhythmic rather than melodic. Here are some of the instruments of those days.

TOPH - DRUM
Also called a ‘timbrel’ or ‘tambourine’ in some English versions of the Bible. Miriam, (sister of Moses and Aaron) took her drum and all the women followed her, dancing to the sound of drums. (Exodus 15 v 20).

KINNOR - LYRE
The kinnor was the instrument that David played. In 1 Samuel 16 v 23, David played to soothe King Saul. Saul was so pleased he asked David to stay in his service.

SHOFAR - TRUMPET
The Shofar was made from a Ram’s horn. It was used to call the Israelites to war (1 Samuel 13 v 3) and also to religious celebrations.