Kalyuka
Encyclopedia
Kalyuka is a Russia
n and Ukrainian
overtone flute
, lacking playing holes. Traditionally, Kalyukas were made form hollow plants stems, such as Motherwort
, or Angelica
. Modern versions of the instrument are usually made from PVC
an inexpensive and durable substitute.
The upper end of the Kalyuka is open, and although it has a built-in fipple
to produce sound, a player should also partly close the opening of the tube with the tongue
. The lower end of the tube is also open and occasionally there is a small side hole near the end. The side hole and/or end are opened and closed while playing to produce different notes (like the Slovak
Koncovka
). Higher tones are reached through over blowing.
In Eastern traditions, the Kalyuka was played on summer evenings after the hay
harvest
when the suitable weeds, cut with a scythe
, were available to make one, and was accompanied by percussion instruments.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n and Ukrainian
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
overtone flute
Overtone flute
Overtone flute refers to a type of a flute which lacks playing holes, and so can only produce notes from a natural scale. Lacking holes, the tube of such a flute has much higher resonance Q factor than a tube of standard flutes, and so can produce dozens of upper harmonics , making it possible to...
, lacking playing holes. Traditionally, Kalyukas were made form hollow plants stems, such as Motherwort
Motherwort
Motherwort is a herbaceous perennial plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Other common names include Throw-wort, Lion's Ear, and Lion's Tail. The latter two are also common names for Leonotis leonurus. Originally from Central Asia it is now found worldwide, spread largely due to its use as a...
, or Angelica
Angelica
Angelica is a genus of about 60 species of tall biennial and perennial herbs in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far North as Iceland and Lapland...
. Modern versions of the instrument are usually made from PVC
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride is a plastic.PVC may also refer to:*Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor*Peripheral venous catheter, a small, flexible tube placed into a peripheral vein in order to administer medication or fluids...
an inexpensive and durable substitute.
The upper end of the Kalyuka is open, and although it has a built-in fipple
Fipple
A fipple is a constricted mouthpiece common to many end-blown woodwind instruments, such as the tin whistle and the recorder. These instruments are known variously as fipple flutes, duct flutes, or tubular-ducted flutes.-How it works:...
to produce sound, a player should also partly close the opening of the tube with the tongue
Tongue
The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...
. The lower end of the tube is also open and occasionally there is a small side hole near the end. The side hole and/or end are opened and closed while playing to produce different notes (like the Slovak
Slovak language
Slovak , is an Indo-European language that belongs to the West Slavic languages .Slovak is the official language of Slovakia, where it is spoken by 5 million people...
Koncovka
Koncovka
Koncovka is a Slovak duct-blown overtone fipple flute without finger holes, traditionally played by shepherds. The koncovka flute is played by closing and opening the bottom hole of the flute. By increasing the air speed, two different harmonic series of notes can be played with the end either open...
). Higher tones are reached through over blowing.
In Eastern traditions, the Kalyuka was played on summer evenings after the hay
Hay
Hay is grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Hay is also fed to pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs...
harvest
Harvest
Harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper...
when the suitable weeds, cut with a scythe
Scythe
A scythe is an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass, or reaping crops. It was largely replaced by horse-drawn and then tractor machinery, but is still used in some areas of Europe and Asia. The Grim Reaper is often depicted carrying or wielding a scythe...
, were available to make one, and was accompanied by percussion instruments.