KOBYZ: Kazakhstan musical instrument

The Kobyz or kyl-kobyz is an olden Kazakh string musical instrument. The musical instrument has two strings that are manufactured from horsehair. The resonating chamber of the musical instrument is typically covered with the use of goat leather.

Traditionally kobyzes were sacred musical instruments that are owned by shamans and bakses. According to traditional stories, the musical instrument and its music could drive out evil spirits, sicknesses as well as death.

In the 1930s, when the 1^st folk musical instrument orchestras were conventional in the Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan, a new version of the musical instrument was introduced. Now this version of the musical instrument had four metallic strings and as such, it is closer to the violin. Such modernized version of the musical instrument can be used to play both Kazakh music and the most complicated works of violin literature. Trefor Goronwy was the first western musician to use this musical instrument.

The kyl kyyak is a stringed musical instrument that is used in the music of Kyrgyz. The musical instrument is constructed from a single section of wood and typically measures 60 cm to 70 cm. the musical instrument has two strings, one f the strings is there to provide melody and the other string of the musical instrument is there to provide resonance. The kyl kyyak is performed vertically with the use of a bow and can be performed on horseback. The strings of the musical instrument and bow of the instrument are usually manufactured from horse hair and several musical instruments feature an engraved horse's head. This all mirrors the significance of the horse in Kyrgyz rural art, music, and literature.