Xena, Warrior Princess

[CHasR]

OK: maybe I d better explain....

In the opening trailer of the now-defunct series, for a few seconds, there is a folkwind in the soundtrack. I've never been able to completely identify it: could be a bagpipe, could be comething else, definitely a reedwind.

Not that Im a fan of the show or anything, but its just one o' those things thats been buggin me....

There's GOTTA be someone on this forum who has every episode on dvd... anyone got a clue as the mystery instrument's true identity-?

[I.D.10-t]

This theme song?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From here

[7] Woodwinds and reed instruments also play a part in the music. A gaida, a Bulgarian bagpipe, begins the show's theme and is heard frequently in other themes throughout the show. In quiet, sad, or romantic moments, a kava (a Bulgarian flute), oboe, or other woodwind is used as the melodic voice.

I believe the kava is usually spelled "kaval".

[CHasR]

yep!
Pretty sure its the Thracian Gaida.
BTW the announcer is the same guy who' s doing those auto insurance commercials, you know, the ones with Little Richard in the kitchen+ the midget on the gas grille...
THANKS

[I.D.10-t]

yep!
Pretty sure its the Thracian Gaida.

Sounds like penicillin is needed.

BTW the announcer is the same guy who' s doing those auto insurance commercials, you know, the ones with Little Richard in the kitchen+ the midget on the gas grille...

Haven't had a TV in years, you are not making me want one.

THANKS

No problem. You had mentioned the theme so I looked up "Xena theme music" on Google and it reminded me of the music from Conan. I thought that the write up on the show's music was interesting, but then, I have always been a fan of Bruce Campbell and his work.

[fluteress]

There's GOTTA be someone on this forum who has every episode on dvd... anyone got a clue as the mystery instrument's true identity-?

Ha... you got me.

The bagpipe-like instrument is a gaida, as someone else mentioned. & any time you here a flute-like instrument (other than the usual orchestral flutes & piccolos), it's most likely a kaval. They also used bansuri sometimes as well, & the duduk also, which is a keyless double-reed woodwind. ...might have to get one of those one day!

I bought a kaval once to try to learn to play, but gave up... lack of time & patience, I suppose. It's not easy! It has no windway channel like a whistle does, & creating a sound is quite difficult... at least, it was difficult for me to create any sound for more than a few seconds!

I'm a fan of the film music for this series, especially with its use of instruments other than the usual orchestral ones.

[BzzzzT]

It is a kaba gaida.

[cadancer]

The gentleman's name that played the music for Xena that you are referring to is Dimiter (Mitko) Konstantinov. He was living in Southern California at the time ( I believe he is now playing music in Las Vegas).

The instruments were indeed the Bulgarian Thracian kaval and the Thracian bagpipes. The bagpipe is made of goatskin turned inside out. The mouthpiece is in the neck hole, the chanter and drone in the two fore-leg holes. The reeds are cane single reeds, one in the chanter and one in the drone. The kaval is an end-blown shephard's flute. The Bulgarian kaval is make in three pieces out of "Dree-yan" (phonetic spelling) wood (a type of cherry, with horn on the mouthpiece and around the sockets.

The kaval has a very weak low register and it is combined (by good players) with the middle register to get a powerful "reedy" low register sound called "kaba" ( ka-bah' ).

I play kaval and had the pleasure of taking some lessons from Mitko around that time.

I believe his wife (a gifted singer) also performed on some of the soundtracks.

...john

[Ted]

On my gaida, and all others I have seen, the chanter stock is in the neck, while the drone and blowpipe are in the front legs.

[s1m0n]

...& the duduk also, which is a keyless double-reed woodwind. ...might have to get one of those one day!

They're (famously) the saddest-sounding instrument of any.