Multi-timbral Ancient Roman style Sistrum by Matt Nolan

The Sistrum rose to popularity as an ancient Egyptian instrument, for ritual worship of the godess Hathor who later became the godess Isis. Temples to Isis spread around the whole Mediterranean within the ancient Roman Empire. This bronze reproduction Sistrum is based mostly upon the circa 100 AD Roman versions, but takes some proportions from ancient Egyptian examples. It is designed to be (multi) functional and somewhat less ornate than the examples from antiquity. This is the perfect instrument for period-authentic performances of The Trojans by Hector Berlioz.
www.mattnolancustom.com/
© 2021 Matt Nolan

[@oneminuteofmyday]

This instrument is mentioned at 2 Samuel 6:5 and I was curious what it was. Thank you for sharing this.

[@MattNolanCustom]

It's an ancient instrument. Popularised by the Ancient Egyptians but existing in many forms long before them. There's a little history on them in my blog - www.mattnolancustomcymbals.com/blog/?p=139

[@PennyHolloway444]

Stay focused

[@ghiansudelo2590]

X2

[@RP-iq3fr]

in case anyone is curious: 0:04 for hoop dampened (jingles: dark selection, rods: fixed position), 0:21 for hoop undampened (jingles: bright selection, rods: free to slide) :)

[@bloomyfractal3585]

Pretty cool sound~

[@user-vj8zl4xj6d]

Initially, it was believed that the sistrum instrument was a symbol of happiness and a symbol of the goddess Bastet, the goddess of joy, love, female beauty, fertility of the hearth and cats.Also, mention of this instrument may come to the goddess Hathor -the goddess of joy, love and intoxication, the goddess of dancing.

[@MattNolanCustom]

There were versions of the sistrum instrument in Sumerian culture well before it was adopted in Egyptian culture, and even earlier instruments with the same basic form and operating principle in Indonesia and Melanesia.

[@jiliciar.1423]

*and protection! (Bastet).

[@francescaryan6765]

Thank you Matt, this is really interesting. It was also great to see the British Museum video on your blog looking at ancient sistrums there.

[@MattNolanCustom]

Thank you!

[@ghiansudelo2590]

I used to be huge Hathor fan so I've always been curious about this instrument. Tonight, I'm reading the Bible and noticed that israelites used it too and that's how I found the video. Very nice work of art.

[@MattNolanCustom]

Many of the older Egyptian examples had a Hathor head representation on them, as you probably know. Descendants of these instruments are still used in the Ethiopian Coptic church.

[@KONSEJERAMISTIKA]

Yo quiero uno de esos!!

[@CarissaPrebyl]

Sounds so cool!

[@zrothesis]

epic

[@felinepeople]

Where might I be able to purchase one of these?

[@jeromegerstein7129]

I thought the sound only came from the rings, from the 3 metal branches too! Has it always been this way?

[@MattNolanCustom]

There are sistra in antiquity with fixed rods and with sliding rods. It makes a big difference to the sound because fixed rods dampen the sound of the hoop/frame while sliding rods allow the hoop to ring and the rods themselves make some noise. There were sistra without jingle discs / rings too, just sliding rods. These instruments are thousands of years old. There are many variations. I tried to capture most of the possibilities in this one instrument.

[@The_Black_Hole]

Hello, this ancient instrument is fascinating and the rythm is inspiring. Can I sample your video to use the sound in my future (Royalty Free) track?

[@MattNolanCustom]

Sure. Email me - [e-mail] - regarding a one-off fee for use.

[@cutechiangels]

​​@MattNolanCustom Hi Matt! Another great instrument ! I'm a starting soundtherapist, and would love to include this sistrum and your waterphone to my healing sessions. How much do they cost? How can I get in touch with you? Have a nice day. 🤗

[@rebeccaanderson5037]

Bastet and the Egyptians used it for all sorts..even calling the Pleiadean's

[@jeromegerstein7129]

Very interesting when you think those were one of the first sounds invented by humans...after his voice. Thanks for your answer.😊

[@riheg]

They still use these in the Church of Ethiopia

[@MattNolanCustom]

that's right, they do

[@clintonhouser9604]

tambourine?

[@MattNolanCustom]

Tambourines were available to Berlioz when he wrote Les Troyens. He chose to have replicas made of the circa 100 AD sistra he found in the Pompeii and Herculaneum museum in Naples. They certainly don't sound the same, especially with the rods free to slide.

[@seraphemcherubem6426]

Ethiopian orthodox church still us the sistrem

[@MattNolanCustom]

That's right

[@balazskiss985]

only virgin nuns= nuni was able to go into the room of apis bull or horse=ménfasz with a sistrum in hand sister with sistrum sistereg= the sound the sistrum gives its magyar= maat er, mother language (of hungary)

[@maneisdmitry]

Great , sounds a bit Hindus like to me

[@elitestockpicks8212]

Meow

[@aliceinwonderland7826]

Rubbish it was a counting device

[@MattNolanCustom]

Very droll. You might appreciate my blog about this instrument - www.mattnolancustomcymbals.com/blog/?p=139

[@maiademilo6436]

Are you referring to an abacus?