The Fujara is deservedly called the "Queen of Harmonic Flutes". Originating in the heart of Slovakia, it reflects, like no other musical instrument, the ancient shepherds' culture and the songs of this region. On the wide areas and lonely alpine pastures the shepherds once played for themselves and the livestock, called the herd together with the flute and communicated with other shepherds over long distances in the mountains. It was not until later in its history that it was also played in an ensemble, the so-called Echo Play where a song was intoned by several shepherds in an offset sequence.
Today the Fujara is highly appreciated in many countries because of its unique sound. In 2005, her traditional music and the instrument itself were included in UNESCO's list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The rich overtones of its natural scale invite you to improvise and the smoky-tender sound can also be found in many modern pieces of music. The unbelievable abundance of playing possibilities ranges from delicately breathed notes, also called mumlanie (whispers), to the sharp, partly rhythmically blown overtone scales of the upper octaves, the ruzfuk. The Fujara can sound in up to four octaves, but not all notes of the scale can be played.
Our Fujara is made by hand in the Czech Republic from elderberry by a Slovakian craftsman in the highest technical perfection and in Slovakian tradition. Each instrument is unique in its form and is lovingly engraved. The surfaces of the instrument are sealed with linseed oil following the old tradition. The blow pipe has a cork stopper at the bottom, which allows condensation, which can occur during playing, to escape easily.
The best way to discover the sound of the Fujara is outdoors or in large rooms.
The key notes of the playable overtone scales are:
Fujara A2: A2, B/H2, C#3, D3
Fujara G2: G2, A2, H/B2, C3
Get more background information in our blog
Queen of the flutes: the bass flute Fujara
It is the distinctive size, the form and the sound that make the Fujara something special among the European flutes: its sound is deep, smooth and organic. At the same time, it also sounds agile, strange and futuristic, which is due to the dazzling high overtones up to 4 octaves.
Like a sound shower: Bernhard Mikuskovics about the Fujara
"I appreciate the visual beauty of the Fujara; I appreciate the sensation to feel the naturally grown elderberry branch in its current form while playing; I appreciate its unique sound and the feeling of unity with all beings when I produce a sound."