temir komuz

The oldest known komuz-like instrument dates from the 4th century although the related Azerbaijani az is believed to date back to 6000 BCE following an archaeological discovery of clay plates depicting az players. In the 1960s American archeologists working in the Shushdagh mountains near the ancient city of Jygamish in Iranian Azerbaijan, uncovered a number of rare clay plates which dated back to around 6000 BCE which depicted musicians at a council, holding a komuz-like instrument to their chests. The golcha gopuz was mentioned in the epic Book of Dede Korkut. The temir komuz is made of iron usually with a length of 100 - and with a width of approximately 2 -. The range of the instrument varies with the size of the instrument, but generally hovers around an octave span. The Kyrgyz people are unusually proficient on the temir komuz instrument and it is quite popular among children. However, some adults continue to play the instrument. There is a National Artist of Kyrgyz Republic who performs on the instrument. One time twenty Kyrgyz girls played in a temir komuz ensemble on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. komuz pieces have been notated by Aleksandr Zataevich in two or three parts. Apparently an octave drone is possible, or even an ostinato alternating the fifth step of a scale with an octave.

The instrument is also used by Sakha or Yakut people, and in Tuvan music with the name xomus. It was introduced to Hungary by the Cuman people. A Kyrgyz marionette play called tak-teke (jumping-goat) features the temir komuz; the player attaches a small goat figure to a string and ties the string to their right hand. They move the puppet skillfully while playing the instrument.