State Museum of Georgian Folk Songs and Instruments

State Museum of Georgian Folk Songs and Instruments

Adygei Shicha-Pshin is two-stringed instrument like Apkhartsa (Abkhazian instrument), it is wholly shaped from the wood. The body is narrow and has a bit wider part in the middle – quite thin and long. The head has different form, made as well from wood. This instrument is currently being prepared as four-stringed, but despite that, the tunes and accompaniment are only two bows.

Shicha-Pshin is made from walnut tree. Previously had been used crab-apple and elm. Material should be dried, because of that material tree can be cut in autumn. However, sometimes can be used damp material, because processing of it is easier. In the past there was used easily bent tree with horse-hair for bow, today the violin is used for bow (ready-made, factory production).

Instrument size depends on that for which it will be prepared for it (for men or children). Size is determined on the finger location on the neck (four fingers have to be located on the instrument – from forefinger to the little finger). Over the head has to be made twisted Moqlonas. The whole block is made from wood, has form like boat and below is sharpened.

Shicha-Pshin is accompanied by solo songs of hero genre, dancing performances (for example, “Dance yarn”). Shicha-Pshin’s accompaniment of songs is usually performed by soloists and chorus. The chorus usually is unisonally, sing alternately. We can see also the polyphonic songs, though they are the latter and recent phenomenon.
Shicha-Pshin is also played on the sick, the wounded to make easier the pain.

Adygei and Abkhazian instruments show close similarities not only with the external form, but the setup and function (playing with the sick, wounded, participation in analogue rules etc.) also apply. Adyghe singing art is occupied an important place with yarn songs and those are performed by Shicha-Pshin. These songs are diphthong (beginner and chorus). Also, songs directly related to the work, such as “Head of bear”, Urmuli.

A vocal music is dominant in Adyghe folk music. Here, as in Georgia instrumental music is relatively less developed. Instrument often repeats the part of chorus. This phenomenon indicates that the instrument here relatively is the late addition.
Player-singers have been honored among the people. They were not only performers, but the song creators and savers as well. They accompanied army rebels, encouraging and mourning over the loss of dead and mocked the cowards. Mocking the song was considered as the greatest shame, praising – the greatest honor.