Pithkiavlin https://youtu.be/uakT7N680Ek video! I was in Limassol for an event at NeMe, talks, exhibition, performance, by a number of artists, Furtherfield and everything. We were there for about a week, maybe slightly longer? I was interested in the music and musical instruments of the area. I met someone who told me about the pithkiavlin, a fipple flute endemic to Cyprus, and the only instrument endemic among the wide variety of music and instruments on the island. He said he knew someone, in his 90s, who was the last maker of the traditional instrument and he'd inquire if I might purchase one. He did, I did, and it was made to specifications based on the average temperature and humidity of our place in Rhode Island. The instrument came about a week later. It's made from reed and clay, and the package included a fingering chart and receipt, as well as a beautiful case. It's similar to the more machine-made pithkiavlin, but this one is completely hand-made and calibrated. I play that here, love the tone and the range. I can't play traditionally, but honor the instrument to be sure. I include the receipt and the fingering chart with this submission. One of the characteristics of this pithkiavlin is that there are eight finger-holes, six on the front, an octave hole on the back - and another hole, which is at the end. So you can also block the instrument that way, at the end. There is clay surrounding the finger holes, the fipple, and the end hole as well. " Translation of the receipt - "I have received from Mr. Irineos Koullouras from Limassol the amount of 60 euros for the sale of an adroit classic pithkiavlin, tuned in C tonal, at 15 oC, of 6,1cm diameter." Note that temperature; the maker also asked for the general humidity. " (I don't know what the 6.1cm references; it doesn't align with any measurements I make on the instrument itself.) I love playing the pithkiavlin. Along with the receipt and case, a fingering chart, for this particular instrument, was also included. I take it "out" on occasion, weather and humidity depending. I can't play it traditionally, but I can make music on it. It was a perfect day, including a Corvette, in and on the parking garage. The pithkiavlin resonated perfectly with the architecture. I want again to thank everyone in Limassol and Furtherfield as well for an amazing experience; the pithkiavlin lives here, plays as beautifully as ever. ___ _______________________________________________ NetBehaviour mailing list [email protected] https://lists.netbehaviour.org/mailman/listinfo/netbehaviour
[NetBehaviour] Pithkiavlin (and thank you all re: Limassol, Furtherfield!)
Alan Sondheim via NetBehaviour Thu, 14 Sep 2023 21:09:40 -0700
