Last Friday, on the 27th of February, I received the Futujara. What, on earth is a futujara? (Foo-too-yah-rah) It is a revolutionary instrument designed by multi-instrumentalist Vladsiwar Nadishana and fujara maker Max Brumberg. It is a “futuristic” fujara…Still not with me? OK. So, let’s back up a bit to get the full enchilada. The fujara (foo-ya-rah)is a large Slovakian overtone bass flute typically 5-6 feet in length. It has three tone holes on the lower part of the main body, usually made by hand from deciduous trees (elder, maple, locust). The instrument relies on the technique known as overblowing to play a diatonic scale (the seven note scale that we westerners are familiar with whether we know it or not). This is what a fujara looks like: Traditionally, the fujara was played by shepherds for recreation in the seclusion of Slovakian mountains. Today it is gaining some popularity among “native flute”players. Its majestic sound is rich with a wide spectrum of overtones. It is haunting, grieving, joyful, peaceful and melancholy. Now, back to the FUTUjara. Nadishana and Brumberg have developed this version of the instrument using modern materials (the euro equivalent of pvc, but thinner walled) which makes it durable and resistant to extreme temps. Also, the instrument comes with four playing tubes which gives you the possibility of playing in the keys of C, D, A, and G. You can also play without the tubes (leaving you with just the headjoint) which mimic the sounds and style of the kalyuka (Russian overtone flute). Through a combination of overblowing and covering and uncovering the end of the tube with your hand, you can change the pitch(the fundamental is A) Now, what REALLY makes this instrument so unique, is the playing hose attachment. Normally, the fujara has a small fipple attached to the flute, which requires the player to hold the flute pressed close to the body. The flexible hose is about 3 ½ maybe 4 ft long and permits the player to play the flute as a fujara and kalyuka combined! Also included is a traditional style fipple for use on the shorter tubes (C and D keys, plus the overtone flute) if you want to play it like straight fujara. Here is the video clip of Nadishana demonstrating the Futujara and here is a video of Nadishana teamed up with percussionist Steven Shehan. The futujara is relatively inexpensive for all that you get and it really sounds great. Also, the tone holes are more closely spaced than on traditional fujara which allows players to use techniques learned on other flutes like the Native American flute, pennywhistle, bansuri, etc. Nadishana offers them in unpainted (white), painted (brown and black) and decorated with ancient Kuzebar designs. It is light weight, portable and incredibly fun to play and looks so bizarre that it's cool. I say, if think you might want one, you are absolutely right, get one.

Link to the original article at the blog of Richard Eller