{{Short description|Musical instrument}} {{Infobox Instrument |name=Byzaanchy |names= |image=Byzaanchy made by Kang-Xuler Saya side view.gif |classification= Bowed string instrument |range= |related= * Sihu * Erhu * Igil * Shichepshin }} The '''''byzaanchy''''' (Tuvan: бызаанчы; Russian: Бизанчи; also transliterated '''''byzanchi''''' or '''''byzanchie''''') is a four-stringed vertical spike fiddle used in the traditional music of Tuva. It is similar to the Chinese ''sihu''. However, the ''byzaanchy''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s soundbox is generally made of wood whereas the ''sihu'' usually has a metal soundbox. The ''byzaanchy''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s soundbox may be cylindrical, cubical, hexagonical or octagonical.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alash Ensemble - Byzaanchy |url=https://alashensemble.com/instruments_byzaanchy.htm |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=alashensemble.com}}</ref>
The word ''byzaanchy'' comes from the Tuvan word for calf, "бызаа".<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiUE0TNoQ5Y |title=A Byzaanchy Lesson with Aldar Tamdyn |date=2016-07-01 |last=TravelTuva |access-date=2024-08-15 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
The instrument's four strings are tuned to two notes a fifth apart. The first and third strings are tuned to the same note and the second and fourth strings are tuned a fifth higher. The bow is made of horsehair and has two strands which are weaved in between the strings. The first strand is between the first and second string and the second between the third and fourth. The instrument is played by bowing the strings and pressing them from the back with the fingers instead of being pressed against the neck. The headstock of the instrument is often decorated with a horse or bull head.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alash Ensemble - Byzaanchy |url=https://alashensemble.com/instruments_byzaanchy.htm |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=alashensemble.com}}</ref>
==See also== *Music of Tuva *Sihu
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225855/http://images.freemusic.cz/koncerty/colours0501/23.jpg ''Byzaanchy'' photo] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225725/http://images.freemusic.cz/koncerty/colours0501/25.jpg ''Byzaanchy'' photo] *[http://www.busker-kibbutznik.org/khoomei/tobshuurum.html ''Byzaanchy'' photos] *[http://www.alashensemble.com/instruments_byzaanchy.htm Byzaanchy] description, photos, audio and video
Category:Tuvan musical instruments Category:Huqin family instruments
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