Chaplima Rubob: A five string instrument with a Yak's tendon for the low string. Dressed with traditional Uzbek fabrics. This instrument is approx. 80 years old. Chaplima Rubob: from the backside and upside down. Wooden tuning pegs make for a crisp yet difficult to obtain sound. The best Rubob I ever played also happens to be mine. I purchased this in 5 Generation Music Factory: Kashgar, Xinjiang. Chaplima Rubob: A hard shell case to keep it safe.
Kashgar Rubob: This is an older Rubob received from Saidali Khakimov of Uzbekistan. Kashgar Rubob: The base made out of leather. Kashgar Rubob: Beautiful rose paintings on fret board. Ghirjek: Another very distinct Uyghur/Uzbek instrument with characteristics of the violin. Beautiful woodwork in the base, held on the knee while playing. Ghirjek: Although not visible, the acoustics produced are made possible by a snake-skin inlay within the base. Beautiful star shape on back side of the base. Fine detail in the inlays. Ghirjek: Safe from break in it's case. Ghirjek: Without a bow the instrument is complete. This instrument is also from Kashgar, and is very new. Morin Khuur and/or Horsehead Fiddle is a principle instrument of the Mongolian peoples. It has it's roots in a folk tale: "Suho's White Horse". Morin Khuur: The delicate and beautiful sounds created when bowed. Morin Khuur: One of the few instruments in the world with both a dragon and horses head built into the top. Morin Khuur: The wood workings on the back of the instrument are also very beautiful. Morin Khuur: This horses tale, a mystery to mankind. Once this instrument was called "Andy's bestfriend" by a Thai women. Both countries share a Buddhist religious faith... Morin Khuur: The way to the passion of the great grasslands. Purchased from Khasbaatar while performing with Altaintsuurai in Tokyo. Dutar: In my understanding, a staple instrument... for the both the Uyghurs and their brothers and sisters next-door in Uzbekistan. Dutar: This is no small instrument, almost as tall as a grown woman and a base larger than watermelons. Dutar: Two strings made of nylon. Dutar: Plucked by hand at it's base giving both percussion like rhythm and string rhythm. Dutar: One again a beautiful backing. Dutar: Detailed inlays all along the neck and top of the instrument. Dutar: Safe from the elements in it's case. Tambur: Another giant instrument, like a sister to the Indian Sitar. Tambur: Another 5 stringed instrument with much more twang than a Rubob, a sound as dry as a great desert. Tambur: From afar looking not much different than a thin guitar. Tambur: Fine detail inlays throughout, especially in the tuning pegs. Tambur: More beautiful wood and other workings in the fret inlays. Tambur: Looking like some sort of gothic mystery covered in it's case, suggesting to be from another world. Tambur: All souls need rest, what better place than where they are safe? Qowuz: Sounding like some sort of motor, and a fine accompaniment to Khoomie singing. Qowuz: this Qowuz was received from Asel Myrzabekova of Kyrgyzstan. |
