The Bandura is a Ukrainian plucked string folk instrument. Hundreds of years ago it was often used by a blind minstrel as accompaniment to his singing! Pictured is an early instrument that had 4 bass strings and 20-23 strings total. Modern instruments have 55-65 metal strings tuned chromatically through 5 octaves, with or without retuning mechanisms (which allows for the rapid retuning of the instrument into different keys). Below is Sis. Serduk's modern bandura with 65 strings. You can identify the levers of the retuning mechanism on the right of the tuning pegs. What you can't see well is the two levels of strings which helps her fingers to know by feel which to pluck. She started to learn as a child and wasn't happy but stuck with it for a few years and then left it behind until she became an adult. Now she is so happy to be able to play!
Hopefully you will be able to notice that the bass strings are plucked by her left hand while the right hand is plucking the melody, and then sometimes she is also singing! She does use finger picks. Here is a picture of the group. We really enjoyed their music.
 |
I first saw the bandura used in the orchestra for the cultural celebration before the dedication of the temple. Then when I saw Sis Serdyuk play it in a Christmas concert, I asked her about it. Katia Serdyk is a temple worker and speaks English, so I knew her and could communicate with her! She was happy to share details with me and offered to come and help all of us temple missionaries appreciate this Ukrainian folk instrument. She prepared for a month and put together a program of folk music that also included Ukrainian folk songs. Her helpers were a young man we often see at the temple and a couple who recently joined the church. The couple are professional musicians. He's a member of the Kyiv Bandura Choir that performs concerts and also tours. He plays an alto bass bandura and also has a wonderful singing voice. Sis. Serkyuk is not professional, but just enjoys the instrument and sharing her talents in many ways. Here is a clip of video I took during their presentation. |
Hopefully you will be able to notice that the bass strings are plucked by her left hand while the right hand is plucking the melody, and then sometimes she is also singing! She does use finger picks. Here is a picture of the group. We really enjoyed their music.
