Kaval Care Guide

Listing Results Kaval Care Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Kaval?

  Launched in October 2017, Kaval is the new modern luxury e-commerce destination for riders and those who appreciate equestrian style. Kaval sees riding as more than a sport - it is a highly encompassing way of life whether one is a ranked athlete, a weekend warrior or a pony parent.

• What are the fingers on a kaval for?

  The left thumb covers a hole on the back side of the Kaval, and the first three fingers cover the top three holes (leftmost in the picture), and the right four fingers cover the lower four holes, with the right thumb supporting the instrument.

• What size pipe should I use for my Kaval?

  My Kaval was made with a 17mm diameter pipe with 8mm holes beveled from the top. The relatively large bore gives an easy "kaba" sound (low sound), but is hard to play above 'G' in the highest register as a result. The best musical response will be had in pipes with inside diameters between 10 and 20 millimeters (mm).

• What are the notes in a kaval?

  For a Kaval pitched in D (or Rein Bulgarian), the notes corresponding to the tones from the bottom to the top are D (D# missing) E F F# G G# A A# and B. By overblowing, the Kaval will jump up a fifth to the next register, A B C C# D D# E F and F#.

• What is the difference between Bulgarian and Macedonian kavals?

  Bulgarian Kavals are usually made of hardwood in three pieces, which fit together using tenon and socket joints. This allows some tuning of the instrument by pulling the top joint out a bit. Macedonian Kavals are typically made of a single piece of ash wood, and are smaller in diameter, very light, and with very thin walls.

• How do you play the kaval in Macedonia?

  In North Macedonia they are known as "glasnici" (гласници) meaning "giving voice to/of". When played, the Kaval is held with both hands at an angle of approximately 45° from the body, with the four fingers of the one hand covering the lower holes; the upper three holes and the thumbhole are covered with the other hand.

• What is a Bulgarian kaval made of?

  The picture above is a Bulgarian Kaval in the key of D made by the late master maker Slavi Ivanov, Kameno, Bulgaria. It is made of Cornelian Cherry, or Dryanin Bulgarian, which is a very hard, dark, and increasingly rare wood. It comes apart into three pieces at the enlarged black sockets.

• What is the key of Bulgarian kaval?

  Bulgarian Kaval in key of D (Re), Mopane wood, Pewter inlay - Wedding style Kaval, made in 2012 by master craftsman Radoslav Paskalev, Virginia, USA. The Kaval is a chromatic end-blown flute traditionally played throughout Armenia, the Balkans and Turkey. The Kaval is primarily associated with mountain shepherds.