Kontra

A kontra is a Hungarian (Hungarian: háromhúros brácsa, ‘three-stringed viola’), Romanian, Slovak and Romani instrument common in Transylvania.

Construction

The kontra is constructed much like the classical viola, with two major differences. First, there are only three strings instead of four. Second, the bridge is flattened, allowing a musician to play all three strings at once.

Tuning

The kontra is tuned like a viola, though lacking its low C string: G-D-A.

Technique

Due to the flattened bridge, a kontra is not as capable of playing melody lines as a viola. Rather, the standard method of play is to play double stops and three-note chords and let the fiddle play melody lines.

Ensemble Playing

The kontra has a defined role within dance band music. Its range lies between that of the fiddle or Vioara cu goarnă on the high-end and the double bass on the low-end. Many Romanian and Hungarian bands also feature the cimbalom or citera, clarinet, accordion, and Ütőgardon or cello.

See also

Papa

Papa is a word used in many languages as an affectionate term for father or sometimes grandfather.

Papa or PAPA may also refer to:

Philosophy:

People:

In mythology:

In geography:

In arts and entertainment:

As an acronym:

Papa (bishop)

Mar Papa (died c. 327/328), also known as Papa bar Aggai, was Bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, the capital of Sassanid Persia, in the late 3rd and early 4th century. An important figure in the early history of the Church of the East, he was first in the generally recognized line of Bishops of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, who would later become the acknowledged heads of the church. He was the first bishop to be given the title of Catholicos, or universal leader, and set about restructuring the previously disorganized Persian church. Some historians describe him as the founding figure of the Church of the East, though according to Syriac tradition, he was simply continuing a line of leaders, such as Mar Mari, that stretched back to Thomas the Apostle.

Biography

Prior to Papa's consecration the Christian community in Seleucia-Ctesiphon had no organized leadership or established episcopal succession. According to the scholar Mschikha-Zca, two visiting bishops, Akha d'abuh' of Arbil and the Bishop of Susa, appointed Papa so that the Persian capital might have its own bishop and diocese. This probably occurred around 280. He was considered a strong-willed, though hot-tempered,statesman and a capable scholar in both the Persian and Syriac tongues.

Papa Can You Hear Me?

"Papa Can You Hear Me?" is the sixth single by British Hip hop trio, N-Dubz. The song is dedicated to the group's former manager Byron Contostavlos, who died shortly before the band were signed to new label All Around the World. The song later became their second top 40 hit.

Reception

David Balls, writing for Digital Spy, wrote the following review: "N-Dubz seem proud to be a band who sell as many ringtones as they do actual tracks. 'Remember that boy driving you mad every morning on the No.42? He's listening to our music,' they proclaim on their MySpace page. Whether that's a good thing probably depends on your age, but anyone would find it tough to fathom the appeal of their latest pop-garage single. Though it feels a bit harsh to knock 'Papa Can You Hear Me', which is dedicated to the band's late relative and former manager Byron Contostavlos, N-Dubz push any goodwill to the limit here. The mix of uber-serious rapping and abrasive beats is fundamentally awkward, while their lyrics are as crass as they are heartfelt. By showing their softer side, the Camden collective are probably hoping to win some new fans, but they should probably stick to making hip-hop bangers in the futureside."