Kaval info

[Jder]

Hello,

I'm in desperate need of some detailed info regarding the Kaval. I've been playing the whistle for little more than a year now, and I feel I am now ready to move on to the Kaval. However, the sound I need is specifically Romanian, and I'd really wish I could acquire an authentic Romanian caval. Since this is nearly impossible without travelling there, my other option would be to buy a Bulgarian 3part Kaval, but I fear it will be a fair bit different from what I am looking for.

Does anyone have any detailed info regarding this instrument and its varieties in Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Romania?

Here's a video of a Romanian caval player: http://www.arsmultimedia.org/constantin-chisar/flute.rm

As far as I can see in that video, the caval he uses is made up from two sections rather than three, and the finger holes seem to be positioned a fair bit lower than in the Bulgarian Kaval. The image isn't detailed enough to show whether it has the 4 extra holes at the bottom, or not.

Other than this, I couldn't find any really relevant info about the Romanian caval on the internet.


I'd greatly appreciate any help,
Jder

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jder on 2002-02-02 18:33 ]</font>

[Tony]

Follow this link...
http://home.columbus.rr.com/rqs/Kavals.htm
There is some good information including a source for purchase, fingering charts and a sound file.
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Lark in the Morning lists several Kavals in their catalog.
http://www.larkinam.com/
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Websites, some with sound files
http://www.geocities.com/tomzara/kaval.htm
http://macedoniadirect.com/music/instrum/supelki.htm
http://ii.pmf.ukim.edu.mk/diplomski/Bla ... /KAVAL.htm
http://www.bergmann.nl/Kaval.html
http://www.teta.it/narada/Kaval.html
http://www.discoverturkey.com/kultursan ... kaval.html
http://www.atakan.com.tr/catalog/subcat23.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/music4/bilbila ... uments.htm
http://www.turkishbellydance.8m.com/photo2.html
http://www.tamburaweb.com/iliev3.htm
http://members.aol.com/RomaniaMusic/caval.htm
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Interesting CD
http://www.taramusic.com/cd3027.htm
--------
make your own Kaval....
http://www15.brinkster.com/papuga/daniel/kaval.html
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I've learned a lot in the past 30 minutes...

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Tony on 2002-02-02 20:57 ]</font>

[Thomas-Hastay]

Thanks for all the links Tony!
Lark In The Morning is a good source for odd musical instruments,but quite expensive with low quality instruments mixed with high quality. Buyer Beware!

You can find archived information on the Kaval at this site too...

<a href="http://www.mimf.com/">Musical Instrument Makers Forum</a>

You may be interested in the "Fujara"(Bass overblow whistle) as well. Happy hunting!

[Tony]

Thomas,
Did you catch the Kaval specs? Four octaves!

[ysgwd]

I can validate Thomas's caveat emptor about Lark based on lots of personal experience, including disappointment with a 225.00 kaval purchase through them. The mouthpiece is traditionally made of cow's horn, and whatever else it was (tasted like tree sap) on my instrument disintegrated after a few months of trying to learn the blowing technique.

I ended up buying a wonderful Persian Ney from an individual on the internet.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ysgwd on 2002-02-03 16:12 ]</font>