Gaval
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The gaval belongs to the group of unilateral percussion instruments. There is
a lot of information about this instrument found in the works of medieval poets.
Images of gavals are presented in ancient miniatures, showing that this
instrument was widespread in Azerbaijan during the Middle Ages. Most likely, it
is the only instrument that has preserved its original shape. It has never been
neglected. The gaval was mainly used in palace musical majlises during the
Middle Ages.
There are varying sizes of gavals found in Eastern countries and Central
Asia. Even though the gaval is considered to be a membranophone instrument, it
has some of the features of an idiophone instrument. Metal rings, or sometimes a
set of four small jingles, hang from the body, producing a unique sound when the
instrument is shaken.
The gaval was included as a lead instrument in the Traditional Instruments
Orchestra founded by Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov, who also wrote the
first musical scores for this instrument. Nowadays, the gaval plays a
significant role in ensembles and orchestras composed of traditional
instruments. This instrument has wide performance capabilities because it is
possible for it to produce trills, tremolos, mordents and other musical
features. The gaval is always part of a mugham trio (musical group consisting of
a singer, tar player and kamancha player) that performs genres and forms of
traditional Azerbaijani music such as “rangs”, “derameds”, “tasnifs” and
“zarbi-mughams”. The gaval’s cylindrical frame is 60-75 mm tall, and its
diameter is 340-450 mm. It is made of walnut wood, with 60-70 small copper rings
fitted to the inner side of its frame along the perimeter. Sturgeon skin that
has been tanned in a special way is stretched over the round frame. The thinness
and transparency of the fish skin makes the sound of the instrument especially
pleasant. While playing on the instrument, the performer holds it with his hands
and plays with his fingers. Sometimes the gaval is slapped as well.
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