KYL‑KUBYZ

KYL‑KUBYZ, a Bashkir stringed bowed folk  musical  instrument.  An  oblong-­shaped body made of a single piece of birch (hollowed) is connected to the neck, which has a curly head with stakes. In ancient times, the tool was made entirely from a single piece of wood. The length is about 650–800 mm; the calfskin deck is semi­ open. Strings (2 or 3) made of untwisted horsehair (or wire) are tuned to a fifth (2) or a fifth­and­fourth (3). A bow is made of horsehair strung on a wooden cane. The range is 2.5 octaves. There are K.­K. with a straight neck (when the strings are pressed against the neck) and with a bow­shaped neck (changing the pitch of the sound is achieved by touching a finger or nail to the string). In the early 1990­s, K.­K. was restored with some changes by R.M. Galimov and improved by V.Sh. Shugayupov. It is used as a solo and ensemble instrument. Similar instruments are used by many Turkic peoples. Since 2006, K.­K. has been included in the program of the Yu. Isyanbayev regional contest of kuray players; since 2016, it has been in the program of the regional contest of performers of Bashkir folk instruments “Amanat”.