Ukrainian Bandura (UK)

Subject: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: Capo da Monty
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 07:49 AM

I have a friend (in Bournemouth UK) who has acquired one of these instruments; 64 strings I think.
He is keen to find out how to tune and play it!
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards

CdM

Subject: RE: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 08:38 AM

There are some good YouTube videos showing the technique.

Subject: RE: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 08:39 AM

This is not going to be the greatest piece of help I've ever been able to give anyone. However, if they're still available, these two discs have examples of Ukrainian bandura players:-

Musiques Traditionelles D'Ukraine 1-Steppe-Carpathes-Podolie Occidentale-Boikivchtchena. Silex. Y 225211
Musiques Traditionelles D'Ukraine 2-Polesie-Poltava-Kiev. Silex        Y 225216

Also, check

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandura which has some info about the bandura.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJeBgeMcuyc for various bits of footage of bandura playing.

Subject: RE: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 12:37 AM

http://www.augb.co.uk/

The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain issued a CD of Ukranian folk music, so it would probably be worthwhile contacting them to ask about Bandura players in the UK

Subject: RE: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 03:33 AM

Victor Mishalow is one of the best bandura players in the world.

Victor Mishalow on youtube

In his younger days in Australia he was part of the rather strange trio Huldrefolk & here they were in 1983 (sound with a few images) He makes occasional rips to Australia & Here he is in 2007 performing at JennyO's folk club

Subject: RE: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: Mr Red
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 11:28 AM

There is a Ukranian club in Gloucester.
About 18 years ago a group called Selo (?) from the Nottingham area which seems to have an enclave of Ukranians.

One thing I would not recommend - playing it in Russia. There was a time when they cut off the index and second fingers of Bandura players because it was seen as a political statement of Ukranian cultural independence. Probably in the days of Ivan the Terrible.

Subject: RE: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: Capo da Monty
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 10:58 AM

Thanks folks. Much appreciated.
There is apparently someone in London who repairs/tunes/teaches these instruments and an appointment has now been arranged.

CdM

Subject: RE: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 04:54 AM

Like autoharps there are ones that are chromatic and others diatonic, tuned to chords which I supposed are easier for playing folk tunes. You better get a suitable electronic tuner! However they managed to tune them by ear I don't know, and have them in tune with other instruments to form an orchestra!

Subject: RE: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: GUEST,Pork sausage Mike
Date: 02 Nov 12 - 07:47 PM

I'm the guy Capo de Monti enquired for.
I appreciate all the replies.I have spoken to people in Vancouver where I first heard a busker playing one, but sadly when I went on the web all I could find was a mention of his memorial service, but I bought 2 music cassettes from him which I have recently had put on CD's...they're wonderful.I have emailed groups in the US, Ukraine and OZ. They all want to help but it seems to me the info I need is not written in English.
I have followed up all the suggestions on here, most helpful altho some I had already contacted.
My instrument has 61 strings. 12 wound phosphor bronze bass strings, 14 similar treble strings but thinner and 35 steel strings. It also had 7 levers on top edge, which when activated each has a mechanism which presses down on selected strings and raises the tone by a semi- tone. I've arranged to meet the guy in London next week and I hope he'll have time to explain it all to me.
Thanks again PSM

Subject: RE: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: Pork Sausage Mike
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 07:24 PM

Hi Phillipa,
I have contacted them and it was indirectly that I found a tutor in London but they know no one nearer to my home than he.

Thanks

PSM

Subject: RE: Ukrainian Bandura (UK)
From: Pork Sausage Mike
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 07:45 PM

Hi Fred,
Thanks for your info, but I have 4 CD's of Ukrainian music played by VOLODYMYR LUCIW. I went to his home 20yrs ago to have a chat about banduras and right out of the blue he phoned me last week...what a wonderful surprise and he says that when the weather improves next summer he'll come down and see me.
He also described the horrors he endured when the Germans marched him, at 15yrs, from Poland to Germany at the start of the war. After, he came to the UK and a Music College and also a singing school. He has toured all the big Concert Halls of the world playing his bandura and singing with a wonderful high pitched tenor voice. He is a star in the Ukraine and has opened a museum in Kyiv with the tools of his work.
I first hears a bandura in Vancouver played by ROMAN BOCIURKIW and bought 2 of his music cassettes that I have recently had put on CD's so I have plenty of music. I tried to contact Roman but all I could find was a mention of his Memorial Service.
Thanks PSM.