Kiev academic style
Encyclopedia
The Kiev Academic Style of Bandura Playing is a way of playing the Ukrainian folk instrument of bandura
.
The instrument is held between the knees perpendicular to the body of the player. This means that the left hand is only able to play easily along the bass strings of the instrument. The right hand usually plays just on the treble strings known as prystrunky.
The manner in which the instrument is held influences the technique used by the bandurist
. The left hand uses only three fingers in play. The position in which the bandura is held also means that the 5th finger of the right hand cannot be used effectively.
The Kiev style is based on the technique used by kobzari of the Chernihiv
province such as Tereshko Parkhomenko
. It became known as the Kiev style because the Kiev Bandurist Capella
used it. Before World War II
, most Kiev banduras had diatonically tuned bass strings. Since World War II in Ukraine, chromatic bass tuning is the standard. In the West, however, groups of bandurists exist that adhere to a diatonic bass tuning. Often these bandurists will refer to their playing style as the Chernihiv style of playing the bandura.
Bandura
Bandura refers to a Ukrainian plucked string folk instrument. It combines elements of a box zither and lute, as well as its lute-like predecessor, the kobza...
.
The instrument is held between the knees perpendicular to the body of the player. This means that the left hand is only able to play easily along the bass strings of the instrument. The right hand usually plays just on the treble strings known as prystrunky.
The manner in which the instrument is held influences the technique used by the bandurist
Bandurist
A bandurist is a person who plays the Ukrainian plucked string instrument known as the bandura.-Types of performers:There are a number of different types of bandurist who differ in their paricular choice of instrument, the specific repertoire they play and manner in which they approach their...
. The left hand uses only three fingers in play. The position in which the bandura is held also means that the 5th finger of the right hand cannot be used effectively.
The Kiev style is based on the technique used by kobzari of the Chernihiv
Chernihiv
Chernihiv or Chernigov is a historic city in northern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Chernihiv Oblast , as well as of the surrounding Chernihivskyi Raion within the oblast...
province such as Tereshko Parkhomenko
Tereshko Parkhomenko
Terentiy Makarovych Parkhomenko was one of the most respected kobzars of the late 19th and early 20th century.-Biography:...
. It became known as the Kiev style because the Kiev Bandurist Capella
Kiev Bandurist Capella
The Kiev Bandurist Capella is a male vocal-instrumental ensemble that accompanies its singing with the playing of the multi-stringed Ukrainian folk instrument known as the bandura....
used it. Before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, most Kiev banduras had diatonically tuned bass strings. Since World War II in Ukraine, chromatic bass tuning is the standard. In the West, however, groups of bandurists exist that adhere to a diatonic bass tuning. Often these bandurists will refer to their playing style as the Chernihiv style of playing the bandura.