Abstract
The article is based on the essence of folk musical instruments that have survived for centuries. Its introduction analyzes the research written in different years on the nature of multi-stringed musical instruments, which is reflected in Kazakh national culture. And it also analyzes their scientific degree and cognitive nature. The polyphonic nature of musical instruments, such as the three-stringed dombyra, the sherter, the seven-stringed zhetigen and their ability to combine with the monodic system of Kazakh music which have not yet been studied in depth are critically discussed. The etymology of the name "chartar" in the context of the origin of these instruments in Kazakh music, its connection with the instrument "sherter" is considered. Opinions on the etymology and semantics of the word "Zhetigen" are also critically analyzed. Further, it is shown that the opinions about the instruments "sherter", "zhetigen" do not correspond to the requirements of instrumental science. The article notes that the opinions published in the periodical press about our national musical instruments are limited in scope, mostly compilation.