Zhivko Vasilev - Bulgarian Musician, Kaval Player, Composer, Educator

A modern voice for an ancient instrument...

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Your first kaval – Which key should you buy?

August 20, 2026

Your first kaval – Which key should you buy? I’ll be straight with you from the start: · If you’re an adult - buy a D kaval · If you’re...

Zhivko Vasilev and Harmelogic with Concerts in Bulgaria

March 2, 2026

“Balkan Riddles” is a concert featuring original arrangements and original music. The music is built around the idea of storytelling without words, where melody becomes memory and rhythm becomes ritual....

7 Reasons to learn to play the Kaval

January 30, 2026

The kaval is not inferior to the regular flute or to any other woodwind instrument. This is not the most important reason to learn to play the kaval, of course....

The First Ever Online Music Course For Kaval Players

January 30, 2026

The first online music course for beginner kaval players is now available on my website. You can check it out HERE. I worked on the course for the past two...

Fingering Chart – Bulgarian Kaval in D by Zhivko Vasilev

January 30, 2026

Showing register 1 of 4. The complete chart is below, as a printable PDF. Many people ask me about a fingering chart for the Bulgarian Kaval. I researched a lot...

Zhivko Vasilev and Sofia Soloists

October 2, 2024

Zhivko Vasilev and Sofia Soloists Date: 14.11.2024 Time: 7:00 p.m Location: Cinema Lumiere (Hall 11 of the NDK) Tickets: https://www.eventim.bg/…/zhivko-vasilev-i…/event.html On November 14th, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in Hall 11 of the NDK...

First Prize – Composition Award – Zhivko Vasilev

January 30, 2024

The composition competition organised by Palms Music and the National Academy of Music – “Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia has taken place in Octover 2023. The expert jury: Bulgarian composer Petar...

Arifa and Zhivko Vasilev in The Netherlands

December 18, 2022

Arifa got together once again after a big world tour in 2022. This time the concerts were in the Netherlands. In the beginning of December 2022 they presented new material...

Zhivko Vasilev Quintet @ Sofia Live Club

February 11, 2022

On March 17, 2022, Zhivko Vassilev, together with his quintet, will present his captivating original music, for the first time on the stage of Sofia Live Club. The music blends...

How to take good care of your Kaval?

May 17, 2021

That’s a question that I get quite often both from my students and other kaval enthusiasts. I looked online, and to be honest, I didn’t find anything that could give...