KYL-KUBYZ

KYL-KUBYZ, a string musical instrument of the Bashkirs. The long‑ladled body made of a whole piece of birch (chopped) is connected to the neck which has a figured head with pins. In ancient times, the tool was made entirely of a solid piece of wood. Length – approx. 650—800 mm, calfskin deck is semi‑open. Strings (2 or 3) made of untwisted horsehair (or veins) and are set to quinta (2) or quinto‑quart (3). The fiddle bow made of horse hair stretched on the wooden cane. The range is 2.5 octaves. There are 2 types of K.‑k.: with a straight neck (during the play the strings are pressed to the neck) and with an onionformed neck (shift in the height of the sound is made by the touch of a finger or nail to the string). In the early 1990s, K.‑k. was somewhat redesigned by R.M.Galimov, Merited Cultural Worker of the RB, and improved by V.Sh.Shugayupov. Used as both a solo and an ensemble instrument. Similar instruments are spread among many Turkic peoples.