The Bandura: the History and Evolution of Ukraine's Beloved Instrument

The bandura is a Ukrainian plucked string instrument that has a long and rich history in Ukrainian culture. It has been played for centuries and is still popular today. The instrument has a unique sound that is both haunting and beautiful, and it has been used in a variety of musical styles, including folk, classical, and popular music.
Despite its popularity in Ukraine, the bandura is not well-known in other parts of the world. However, with the rise of the internet and social media, more people are discovering the beauty of this instrument. There are now many videos on YouTube showcasing the bandura's unique sound and its versatility in different genres of music.
The bandura is a musical instrument that has been around for centuries and has played a significant role in Ukrainian musical history. The earliest recorded mention of the instrument dates back to a Polish chronicle in 1441, where a Ruthenian named Taraszko was employed by King Sigismund III to play the bandura at court. From that time onwards, the instrument became more widely used in Ukrainian music, with court bandurists of Ukrainian descent being recorded in medieval Polish manuscripts.
The bandura has undergone various changes throughout its history, particularly in construction and technique, to accommodate its primary role as an accompaniment to solo singing. The traditional bandura had approximately four to six stoppable strings strung along the neck and up to sixteen treble strings, known as "prystrunky", strung in a diatonic scale across the soundboard. However, by the early 20th century, the bandura had undergone significant developments in construction, with metal tuning pegs and chromatic strings being added to improve the sonority of the instrument and allow for more accurate tuning.
Traditionally, the bandura repertoire was based on oral traditions, featuring folk songs, chants, psalms, and epic poems known as dumy, and some folk dance tunes. In the 20th century, the repertoire expanded to include more contemporary and classical music, with the construction of the instrument being adapted to accommodate these changes.
Today, there are four main types of bandura, each differing in construction, technique, holding, repertoire, and sound. These include the traditional kobza, the "Kharkiv" bandura, the "Chernihiv" bandura, and the "Kiev" bandura.
If you're curious about the sound of the bandura, there are plenty of videos available on YouTube that showcase the instrument's versatility and beauty. Here are five of the best bandura videos to check out:
1. Tatiana Gordiychuk. "A minor melody" - Myroslav Skoryk. Suite "Call back" part three "Holiday".This video features the Ukrainian musician Tatiana Gordiychuk performing a hauntingly beautiful melody on bandura. The performance is both mesmerizing and enchanting.
2. Kazka - Plakala (Cry) Instrumental Cover Version.
One of the most popular Ukrainian modern song performed on Bandura and Button Accordion by Ukrainian music band B&B Project.
3. Oh, there is a red viburnum in the meadow of the Chapel of Bandurists of Ukraine
Famous patriotic song performed by bandurist chapel in Budapest. This powerful performance is both technically impressive and musically beautiful.
4. Song ofTruth and Falsehood by Julian Kytasty
This video features Julian Kytasty, a renowned bandura player, performing a traditional Kobzar song. His skillful playing and emotional performance make this a must-watch video.
5. Myhaylo K Bandura cover of The Scientist by Coldplay
This video features Myhaylo Kostowskyj, another talented bandura player, performing a beautiful cover of a modern song on the 55-string bandura and cajon drum.
Overall, the bandura is a fascinating instrument with a rich history and a beautiful sound. Whether you're a fan of folk music or more modern genres, there is sure to be a bandura video on YouTube that will captivate you.
Music brings us together. We can better understand the people from all corners of the world, in all their incredible diversity. In many ways, music is a universal language, crossing borders and opening up a whole new world to our minds.
We've gathered 50 different national songs including lyrics adapted especially for beginners. They include classic sheet music, letter-coded notation, and online audio tracks. You will enjoy folk music, children's songs, hymns, popular melodies, and dances.
This songbook is suitable for any keyboard musical instrument: piano, synthesizer, accordion, melodica, even for percussion instruments such as xylophone or marimba.