Page 40 - Young&Wise

Touching Life with the Sound of the

Arzu ŞENTÜRK YENIÇERI MUSIC

a a traditional Turkish end-blown flute

Volkan Koyuncu began his musical career playing the bağlama in high school. In 2007, he was accepted into the Basic Sciences
Department of the Ege University Turkish Music State Conservatory, where he discovered the kaval. He later began working as a
music teacher. He has performed with his instrument in numerous national and international concerts, album releases, and television
programmes. He currently serves as a music teacher at the Ministry of National Education.
When and how did your journey with the inner world to the characters in a novel, a What advice would you give to people
kaval begin? musician also adds who want to learn to play the kaval?
their soul to each Which is more important—patience,
I first started note. That’s why even
music by playing breath, or emotion?
if many people play
the bağlama and the same song, each All of these are very important, not
the guitar. I met only for the kaval but for learning any
performance sounds
the kaval in 2007 different. This is the instrument. However, the most important
when I began beauty and richness thing is to choose the instrument that
studying at Ege of music. When I play suits you best. When you love your
University, Turkish the kaval, I try to instrument, practising becomes a kind
Music State feel the emotion of of play. But if you don’t like it, it can
Conservatory. the piece in my own feel like torture. So, in my opinion, the
My journey with most important thing is love for your
way. I see myself as a
the kaval started bridge, trying to help instrument.
under the guidance listeners feel what
of my dear teacher, I feel through the How do you see young people’s interest
Aytunç Aydın. music. in traditional music today? What should
be done to keep this art alive for future
What influenced you the most in What are the best parts of being a kaval generations?
choosing the kaval? Was there a special player?
reason for preferring it over another Traditional music is becoming more and
instrument? The kaval is an more valuable. There are
instrument that still many traditional
Meeting a new instrument is always an covers a wide musical styles that have
exciting experience for anyone interested geographical not been consumed
in music. The first thing that impressed area. It has similar or discovered in the
me was its sound. The kaval, like every forms in many global industry. Because
instrument, has a story and carries a countries. This they are natural and
tradition. Unlike the instruments I played gives you a huge free from commercial
before, the kaval can produce longer area to explore. rules, they keep their
tones and has a solo character. I felt that Even in our originality. Many
it could open a new door in my musical own country, prestigious projects
experience. the kaval today are inspired by
has different traditional music. I believe
What do you feel while playing the young people are aware
kaval? What emotion affects you the styles and of this and show real
techniques.
most at that moment?
So, through interest. To keep their
Music is a highly abstract art form when the kaval, you can interest alive, they should
considering its performance aspect. understand the feelings of a farmer picking be given more opportunities—concerts,
Anyone can make a sound with an tea in the Black Sea region or a musician festivals, and projects that include
instrument, but being a musician means playing at a wedding in Bulgaria. This is a traditional music should be made more
expressing your feelings through it. Just very inspiring and eye-opening experience. accessible. The more reachable they are,
like a writer adds something from their the more this art will live and grow.
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