KYRGYZ INSTRUMENTS

The Komuz This three-stringed plucked fretless lute is the instrument most identified with the Kyrgyz people. It is used both to accompany singing and as a virtuosic solo instrument. For more information on the komuz (literally, 'instrument'), see the article in the website entitled Komuz Krisis. Click here for audio example of Komuz playing ('Mash Kambarkan') -opens in its own small window Or click on the direct link: Mash kambarkan_mp3

The Kyl Kiak    This two-stringed bowed instrument has a pastoral character and, fitting for an instrument with strings made of horse hair, often evokes the Kyrgyz love of horses in the melodies and rhythms of some of the most popular pieces for kyl (which means 'horse's tail') kiak. For more information on the kyl kiak, see the article on this website entitled Kiakchi. Click here for audio example of Kyl kiak playing ('Top jïlkï') -opens in its own small window Or click on the direct link: Top jïlkï_mp3

Timur komuz    The so-called 'iron instrument' is what many in the West call a Jew's harp. As you can hear, the Kyrgyz have made playing this seemingly simple instrument a real art. Click here for audio example of Timur komuz playing ('Kosh kairïk') -opens in its own small window Or click on the direct link: Kosh kairïk_mp3

Choor    Traditionally associated with shepherds, the varied choor (wind instruments) are the Kyrgyz aerophones. These include end-blown flutes akin to the Turkish ney and ocarina-like clay flutes called chopo choor. Click here for 2 audio examples of Choor playing ('Koyçulardin koygür küüsü (Shepherd's Melody)'' and 'Bektash'') -opens in its own small window Or click on the direct links: Bektash_edit.mp3 and Koyçulardin_edit.mp3

Jigatch    It may sound something like a digeredoo, but the jigatch, which the Kyrgyz consider their oldest instrument, is a wooden relative of the timur komuz. Click here for audio example of Jigatch playing ('Improvisation') -opens in its own small window Or click on the direct link: Improvisation_mp3