Kazakh traditional music can be divided into two genres: instrumental music and vocal music. Instrumental music is called Kuy and performed by soloists using Kazakh traditional musical instruments, e.g. dombra, kobyz, etc. Among the most famous kuy composers there are Kurmangazy, Dina, Dauletkerey, Tattimbet, etc.

Dombra

Dombra is probably the most popular Kazakh musical instrument. Its gentle, soft and velvety melodious sound is produced by only two strings. Nowadays some dombra kuys are arranged and performed in rock or modern pop style, e.g. by Ulytau, Asylbek Ensepov, and even classical music is performed by traditional Kazakh instruments, which give them new sounding.

Kobyz

According to archeologists, along with dombra, a kobyz was also one of the most common musical instruments of early nomads. Kobyz is a bowed string instrument, mainly used in religious and magical rituals by baqsi (shamans), as well as folk singers. Kobyz served as a means of communication with the spirits. Imitation of nature sounds are characteristic to kobyz kuys, e.g. howling of wolves, cry of swans, running horse, the sound of a released arrow.

Sybyzgy

Sybyzgy is widely used instrument in the past, made from a hollow stem of saltwort. The simple form and the availability of the material from which it is made, contributed to its popularity among Kazakh musicians. By its tone quality sybyzgy produces a trembling sound, resembling tremor and agitation of the sound. Sybyzgy sounds could be heard on summer pastures, at weddings, birth of a child ceremonies, during arrival of honourable guests.

Asatayak

Asatayak is an ancient Kazakh and Turkic percussion instrument. The shape resembles a stick with a flat head, decorated with ornaments and hanging metal rings. Asatayak has an open and sharp sound. To enhance the instrument’s sound, bells attached to the head asatayak could be used. When shaking the instrument, bells give additional metallic ringing sound.

Sazsyrnay

Sazsyrnay is a wind instrument, made of clay. It has a clear, bright tone colour. In ancient times sazsyrnay was a popular instrument among children and adolescents.

Zhetygen

Zhetygen is an ancient Kazakh and Turkic stringed musical instrument resembling a lying harp. Classic zhetygen has seven strings, modern renovated ones have 15 strings. The most ancient type of zhetygen was an oblong box, carved from a piece of wood. On this zhetygen there were no upper decks or tuners. The strings were stretched by hand from the outside of the tool. Later zhetygen’s upper part was covered with a wooden deck. Under each string tripped on both sides asyks (bones) acting as pegs. Moving them one could adjust strings and their sound.

Currently, folklore ensembles use reconstructed zhetygen in which in order to expand the range of sounds, the number of strings is increased up to 15. Zhetygen has a mild, melodious sound.

Shankobyz

Shankobyz is a tongue folk instrument. It refers to self-sounding reed musical instruments. To play shankobyz, it should be pressed against one’s teeth or the lips and the oral cavity serves as a resonator. Changing the articulation of the mouth and breathing makes it possible to change the tone quality of the instrument. In addition, new tones to the sound are made by changing the diaphragm position, many pharyngeal, laryngeal, tounge, lip and other methods of sound production. Shankobyz is usually made from metal or wood.

Daulpaz

Daulpaz – Daulpaz is a Kazakh national percussion instrument. It is a musical instrument with a very strong loud sound, it served in the past to give military signals, such as an attack signal. Loud sounds of percussion instruments were also used to invite people to hunting or to perform religious rites, announce the upcoming migrations, etc.

There are many famous personalities in the Zhambyl region around the world of the country’s art. They become the pride not only of the region, but of the whole country. Among the outstanding personalities of the Kazakh singing art are Baluan Sholak, Ykylaslas Dukenuly, Kenen Azerbayev, Ilya Zhakanov, Altynbek Korozbayev, Mels Uzbekov and many others.Today, these personalities have a lot of talents.