Percussive instruments

Kyrgyz folk percussive instruments create not numerous group. There are only three membranephones: Dobulbash (in the north of Kyrgyzstan – Dobulbas), Do’ol and Karsyldak. This instruments are carriers of rhythm, one of the strongest means of artistic influence on man and animals.

In musical practice of 20th century, Kyrgyz percussive instruments were not used, and exist as museum exhibits.

Dobulbash – one-sided framed drum, covered with camel leather. The height of the body is 50-60 sm., membrane diameter is 25-30 sm. The frame was made of the juniper wood, while the membrane was made of the camel leather. The sounds were extracted blowing the membrane with the handle of whip or palm. To-day the musicians use the drum sticks with soft tips. The sound of Dobulbash is strong, clear and long if the membrane is thick, and can be served as war or sacral signal.

Do’ol – small wooden or metallic membranephone. In present time exist two kinds of Do’ol: traditional and reconstructed one. The first represent helmet-shaped drum with squeezed membrane. Membrane was made of camel or ox leather and had a diameter of 30 sm., the height of the body is 20 sm. Strong and low sound was extracted with a help of wooden stick (called Tokmok or Tayak) thicken on the tip. Leather bands on both sides of the instrument allowed to fix it to the saddle in front of the rider-performer. Do’ol was used on the national holidays and at the time of hunting, also it was very popular among Shamans – ancient wizards, for ousting evil spirits.

Karsyldak – a pair of wooden spoon-shaped slightly open boxes fastened below the handles. The width of the single "spoon" is 10 sm., length – 20 sm. The "spoons" are not exactly similar, and having different sizes, they give clicking sounds of different pitch.

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