The Evolution of Uzbek Musical Instruments
Authors
Victor Khandamian
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Annotation
The article examines the evolution of Uzbek traditional musical instruments from ancient forms to modern technologies. The Uzbek musical tradition, shaped at the crossroads of Eastern cultures, is presented as an essential element of national identity. Special attention is given to the tanbur—a symbol of musical continuity—its structural features, role in Uzbekistan’s classical music, and its participation in the Shashmaqom cycle. The study analyzes historical stages in the development of the tanbur family of instruments, their modifications, and adaptation to contemporary conditions. The processes of digitizing musical instruments and creating sample libraries that preserve the unique timbre and promote Uzbek musical culture in the global media space are highlighted. The significance of digital technologies for preserving cultural heritage, expanding international cooperation, and promoting Uzbek music is emphasized. It concludes that the synthesis of tradition and innovation contributes to the development of Uzbekistan’s modern musical culture.
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Authors
Victor Khandamian
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References:
Khandamian, Victor. Instrumenty semeystva tanbura v Tsentral'noy Azii: otlichiya i obshchie cherty [Instruments of the Tanbur Family in Central Asia: Differences and Common Features]. Eurasian Music Science Journal 2 (2024): 1–7. https://doi.org/10.34920/eamsj/vol_2024_issue_1/14. (in Russian)
Khandamyan, V., Khasanov A., Khasanova G., Rakhimova N., and Rasulov D. “Tekhnologicheskie novatsii v uzbekskikh traditsionnykh muzykalnykh instrumentakh: ot proshlogo k sovremennosti” [Technological Innovations in Uzbek Traditional Musical Instruments: From the Past to the Present]. Vestnik Sankt-Peterburgskogo universiteta 14, no. 4 (December 2024): 737–744. Accessed December 16, 2024. https://vestnikartspb.ru/index.php/vestnik/article/view/55. (in Russian)
Khandamian, Victor. Etimologiya tanbura [Etymology of the Tanbur]. In Yangi O‘zbekiston Yoshlarini Tarbiyalashda Musiqa Ta’limining Maqsad va Vazifalari – V Respublika Ilmiy-Amaliy Konferensiyasi Ma’ruzalar To‘plami [Proceedings of the 5th Republican Scientific and Practical Conference “Goals and Objectives of Music Education in the Upbringing of the Youth of New Uzbekistan”], 2024. Accessed November 1, 2025. https://t.me/MG_HMAL/10831. (in Russian)
Eikhgorn, A. Polnaya kollektsiya muzykal’nykh instrumentov narodov Tsentral’noy Azii [Complete Collection of Musical Instruments of the Peoples of Central Asia]. St. Petersburg: Tipografiya Yu. Shtaufa (I. Fishona), 1885. (in Russian)
Khandamian, Victor, and Abdulaziz Khasanov. “Building a Library of Samples (Kontakt) of the Uzbek Traditional Dutar.” Eurasian Music Science Journal 1 (2021): 45–52. https://doi.org/10.52847/EAMSJ/vol_2021_issue_1/53.
Khandamian, Victor. “Sampling Traditional Instruments: Challenges of Globalization.” Journal of National Culture 1, no. 3 (2025): pp. 1–6.
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