Folk instruments, which are well known during many centuries, gain today new sounding and aspect. So, the traditional gyjak having been “modernized” and transformed, is winning new popularity.
According to the legend, the gyjak was created by philosopher of antiquity al-Farabi. Traditionally, globe-shaped body of this musical instrument was made from pumpkin or glued wooden segments. The front side of open body was tightened with the leather membrane, fulfilling the function of a sounding board and 3 or 4 silk strings were stretched. There were examples of improvement of this national instrument. In the forties of the last century, A.I. Petrosyantz and S.Y. Didenko introduced the perfected gyjak and its varieties (viola, bass, and double bass) into professional and folk music.
The instrument kept huge potential, which realization was demanded by the time. Studying in the conservatoire, the creator of the modern gyjak – musician and conductor Amannepes Amannepesov tried many different species of trees for body and fingerboard. Owing to thorny methods and mistakes, an optimal variant was found. The body of the improved gyjak consisted of two sounding boards: the upper sounding board was made of the fir and lower-of the mulberry. The fingerboard was lengthened and was made of wood of the apricot tree. Amannepes stopped on the variant with five strings.
The instrument has obtained a new look. It has become more solid and got an opportunity of even sounding both in solo performance and in ensemble with other musical instruments as well as in large orchestras. The sound range of the contemporary gyjak has increased by four and a half octave, emitting an original timbre.
The youth creative contest, which helped the invention of Amannepes to be legalized in the musical world, is behind. In June of the last year, the awarding ceremony of particularly distinguished young people in various spheres of activity was held in the building of Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. Amannepes was awarded a valuable gift and very important for him Diploma on recognition of his invention with the signature of the President of Turkmenistan.
The perfected gyjak immediately found its application. Now, its sounds can be heard in the orchestra of folk instruments led by Amannepes. In the combined orchestra of the national conservatoire, it is also possible to detect unusual sounding of the gyjak. At the musical school of the Lebap province, the pupils learn to play the new gyjak. The teachers of music from different regions of Turkmenistan desire to have it in their musical arsenal. Musicians of a series of countries of the East and Central Asia also interested in this instrument. Though, in spite of the fact that today there are some copies of the new gyjak, which is made exceptionally by hands like all superbly sounding stringed instruments, promising prospects open before it.
According to the legend, the gyjak was created by philosopher of antiquity al-Farabi. Traditionally, globe-shaped body of this musical instrument was made from pumpkin or glued wooden segments. The front side of open body was tightened with the leather membrane, fulfilling the function of a sounding board and 3 or 4 silk strings were stretched. There were examples of improvement of this national instrument. In the forties of the last century, A.I. Petrosyantz and S.Y. Didenko introduced the perfected gyjak and its varieties (viola, bass, and double bass) into professional and folk music.
The instrument kept huge potential, which realization was demanded by the time. Studying in the conservatoire, the creator of the modern gyjak – musician and conductor Amannepes Amannepesov tried many different species of trees for body and fingerboard. Owing to thorny methods and mistakes, an optimal variant was found. The body of the improved gyjak consisted of two sounding boards: the upper sounding board was made of the fir and lower-of the mulberry. The fingerboard was lengthened and was made of wood of the apricot tree. Amannepes stopped on the variant with five strings.
The instrument has obtained a new look. It has become more solid and got an opportunity of even sounding both in solo performance and in ensemble with other musical instruments as well as in large orchestras. The sound range of the contemporary gyjak has increased by four and a half octave, emitting an original timbre.
The youth creative contest, which helped the invention of Amannepes to be legalized in the musical world, is behind. In June of the last year, the awarding ceremony of particularly distinguished young people in various spheres of activity was held in the building of Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. Amannepes was awarded a valuable gift and very important for him Diploma on recognition of his invention with the signature of the President of Turkmenistan.
The perfected gyjak immediately found its application. Now, its sounds can be heard in the orchestra of folk instruments led by Amannepes. In the combined orchestra of the national conservatoire, it is also possible to detect unusual sounding of the gyjak. At the musical school of the Lebap province, the pupils learn to play the new gyjak. The teachers of music from different regions of Turkmenistan desire to have it in their musical arsenal. Musicians of a series of countries of the East and Central Asia also interested in this instrument. Though, in spite of the fact that today there are some copies of the new gyjak, which is made exceptionally by hands like all superbly sounding stringed instruments, promising prospects open before it.
