MANUAL BOOK for Beginner GAIDA Players + SCORES

Author: Todor Prashanov
Published in 2005
Printed by: Music Printing House
ISBN: 954-405-092-2
Format: 20 x 28.5 cm/ 7.8 inches x 11.2 inches
Pages: 126
Language: only Bulgarian

This book contains information about gayda, one of the most basic traditional Bulgarian instruments that is widely adopted in Bulgarian folklore.
Here is what the book comprises:
- gayda description, information about its pitch, tone range and tuning
- tips on holding the instrument, fingering and tone producing
- score material of popular folklore songs, instrumental melodies and horo (chain) dances
- useful exercises!!!!!
- schemas and pictures !!!!
Although the book is written in Bulgarian, it makes a good self-help reference material.
It abounds with useful exercises excellent for the beginner players. The book can be perfectly used as a score book.

General information on Gayda/ Gaida instrument, as found on the Internet.
Some people believe the bagpipe originated in India and then slowly moved first North into Europe, then both East and West spreading as far afield as Russia and Tunisia, Scotland and Spain, evolving as it went; first with a single reed chanter and then, later, a double reed chanter. If this is the case then the gaida is one of the most subtlely sophisticated of the older, more primitive single reed pipes, still associated with a goatskin rather than the more elegant stitched leather bags of Western Europe.
Another interesting feature bagpipe shares with other East European bagpipes is the single reed chanter. All Western bagpipes have a double reed, much like a primitive oboe reed, but Eastern bagpipes tend to have a single reed tied to a wooden stock, a little like a mini clarinet or saxophone mouthpiece. This gives it a more plaintive wailing tone, compared to the courser Western bagpipes. It also makes the high notes the strong notes, unlike the Highland pipes which are notoriously weak when they reach up to their top note.
The Bulgarian Bagpipe or gaida is a surprisingly flexible instrument due to the tradition of harmonic changes in the folk music it is associated with. Unlike most bagpipes, which are played exclusively against drones and can only play in one mode, the gaida is often heard in ensembles with kaval (an end blown flute, gadulka (a folk fiddle) and drums.