Traditonal Music & Instruments

Bulgarian kaval music:

Bulgarian "tsafara":
"...BULGARIAN TRADITIONAL FLUTE TSAFARA in D, DEER HORN

Tsafara is an interesting folklore instrument known as a "shepherd's whistle", known to the Bulgarians since ancient times. The sound is produced in the same way as with kaval but is much easier.
This flute is made of ash tree of beautiful wood pattern, in natural color. The mouthpiece and top part are of finely polished deer horn. Lenght: 27cm / 10.5 inches.

MUSICAL RANGE OF TSAFARA in:
D - from (d) in first to (d) in second octave /from 27cm - 30 cm/10.6''-11.8''

General information:
Tsafara is a whistle that is also called “tsevnitsa” and “shtupelka”, it is a one-tube instrument whose length may vary between 30-50 cm and the diameter of the inside is 1-1.5 cm.
Both ends of the instrument are open. The upper end (the mouthpiece) has a sort of edge inside. The air stream from the mouth hits in the inner edge and a sound is produced.
In order for the air stream to be directed towards the edge, the instrument is to be held in a bit slanting position. Tsafara has six holes at the upper end and one at the lower. What can be obtained is a two-octave range of high, major, diatonic tones. Therefore, tsafara tone range comprises two octaves.
Typically, the players make their tsafara whistles of elder- bush, pipe and other, more flexible types of wood. The distance between the holes is calculated depending on how big the playerÂ’s fingers are. Thus, the different tsafara whistles are characterized by different frequency of tone.
PLAY a TSAFARA sample (29 sec.) ..." http://www.shopbulgaria.com/products/1759/bulgarian-traditional-flute-tsafara-in-d-deer-horn.html