A Musical Evening

We had a very fun evening last night! After the kids were in bed, several students from David's English class came over. The original plan was to watch the Super Bowl together (which my dad had taped and sent us... thanks dad!). Yet, we just ended up talking instead... which we prefer to do anyway. It is just so easy and enjoyable talking with these students. Our conversation covered a wide variety of topics, from tornados and cars to pregnancy (one of the young ladies is pregnant) and culture differences. I think the highlight of the evening for David and I was when one of the students, who is a musician, pulled out his instruments (which he had brought along). He plays national Tuvan instruments and throat sings as well!

Here he is playing the 'Doshpuluur'.

Now, he is throat singing. It was our first time to hear someone throat singing in person, and it was just sooo neat! For those of you who don't know what throat singing is, it is a type of singing where one vibrates the vocal cords in such a way as to produce multiple pitches simultaneously. It really is incredible how they can do that!

And here he is playing the 'Igil'. David and I both liked this instrument the best. It was absolutely beautiful how he played it! It only has two strings, and, unlike a violin where the fingers press down on the strings to create different pitches, the fingers just touch the sides of the strings, or press up underneath. I would really like to get an 'Igil' someday and learn how to play it. It is just beautiful.

Music is very special to the Tuvans, especially their tradition music. After listening to some traditional music last evening, one of the other students commented how that music just "does well to their souls and hearts". Music is definitely a very important part of their culture, a part that we really enjoy!