Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kaval?
The kaval is a traditional end-blown wooden flute and one of the oldest folk wind instruments in the Balkans. In Bulgaria it is a cornerstone of folk music, especially in the regions of Thrace, Dobrudzha and Ludogorie, and it was historically the inseparable companion of Bulgarian shepherds. It has a warm, clear, slightly "breathy" tone, poetically called the "honey kaval", with a wide range of expression that runs from soft, mellow melodies to powerful, driving rhythms. The Bulgarian kaval is special among its Balkan relatives because it is semi-chromatic: most notes of the scale are readily available, while a few semitones call for special fingerings and changes of the lips, which lets a skilled player perform not only traditional folk tunes but also a wide range of classical and contemporary music.
Where does the kaval come from?
The kaval is an ancient instrument with deep roots across the Balkans and Anatolia. Versions of it are played in Bulgaria, Turkey, North Macedonia, Greece, Serbia, Albania and Romania. Its exact origins are debated: Bulgarian tradition links it to the ancient Thracians, while many historians trace its spread through the wider Near East. What is certain is that the Bulgarian semi-chromatic kaval as we know it today took its modern form in the twentieth century, when professional folk ensembles were founded and the instrument was refined to play in tune across all keys.
How is a kaval built?
A kaval is a slim wooden tube, usually between 60 and 90 cm long depending on its key, made in three sections that fit together (in Bulgarian these joints are called "ekleme"). The upper section is the mouthpiece and has no holes, the middle section carries the finger holes, and the short lower section holds extra tuning holes. There are eight finger holes in total: seven on the front and one at the back for the thumb. Crucially, the kaval has no reed and no whistle mouthpiece - it is open at both ends, and the sound is made by blowing across the sharpened rim of the open top. Bone, horn or metal rings are often fitted over the joints to protect the wood and help prevent cracking.
What are the "devil's holes"?
Near the bottom of the kaval you will find four extra holes that are never covered while playing. In Bulgaria they are known as the "devil's holes" (dyavolski dupki) or "soul holes" (dushnitsi). They are not finger holes at all; instead they set the pitch and timbre of the lowest note and improve the instrument's resonance, tone and intonation. A well-loved folk legend says the Devil pierced these holes out of jealousy but only made the kaval sound more beautiful, which is why the kaval is the one Bulgarian folk instrument traditionally allowed to be played at funerals.
How is the kaval played?
The kaval is rim-blown. You direct a narrow stream of air across the sharpened edge of the open mouthpiece, holding the flute at an angle to the side, with your lips shaped roughly as if whistling. The air pressure is gentle, about as much as it takes to make a candle flame flicker without blowing it out. Different notes come from covering the holes, while the different registers (low, middle and high) are reached mainly by changing the air pressure. Semitones and the kaval's characteristic ornaments are produced with half-covered holes, finger movements and small changes of the lips. Vibrato is usually done with the fingers rather than the breath, which gives the kaval its singing, vocal quality.
Is the kaval hard to learn?
The hardest part of the kaval is the very first step: producing a clear sound. Because there is no reed or whistle to do the work for you, getting a steady tone can take anywhere from an afternoon to a couple of weeks of patient practice. The good news is that once you can sound the instrument reliably, progress becomes much faster and surprisingly natural. You do not need any previous musical knowledge to start, and my Beginner Course and private lessons are built specifically to guide you through that first sound and everything after it. Advanced techniques such as circular breathing exist, but they are something to grow into later, not a requirement for beginners.
Which kaval should a beginner choose?
I recommend a kaval in D ("Re"). D is the standard, most universal key for Bulgarian folk music, it is the most comfortable size to hold and reach, and all of my learning materials, including the Beginner Course and the fingering chart, are written for the kaval in D. Children with smaller hands often start on a shorter kaval in E, which is easier for them to reach, though it is not intended for professional playing - just contact me if you would like one for a child. If you are just starting out, a plastic kaval in D, or my Starter Bundle, is the easiest and most affordable way in.
Which keys do you offer?
Every kaval comes in D, C, B flat and A. In D it is usually ready to ship; most C, B flat and A options are made to order and take about two to three weeks. The Intro plastic kaval comes in PVC in all four keys and in aluminium in D and C.
- D - the most common and versatile key, the easiest to start on, and the one all my lessons and materials use. The right choice for almost everyone, beginner or professional.
- C - a little lower, with a tone that blends beautifully with the human voice; traditionally the key used to accompany folk singers.
- B flat - deep and rich, but a little harder to play, because the instrument is longer and the finger holes are spaced wider apart.
- A - lower still and the warmest of all, with the widest finger spacing.
The lower the key, the longer the instrument: a kaval in D is around 64 cm long. Each product page shows which keys are ready and which are made to order.
What is the difference between the types of wood?
Traditionally, Bulgarian kavals are made from dense, fine-grained woods, with cornelian cherry and boxwood among the most prized. The denser and better-aged the wood, the cleaner and richer the tone. Each wood I offer has its own character:
- Cornelian cherry (dryan) - the wood the old Bulgarian kaval makers worked in. A soft, tender and very warm sound, deeply characteristic of the Bulgarian style; excellent for beginners and professionals alike. It darkens with playing and oiling, so the instrument grows richer in colour over the years.
- Wenge - a warm sound with an easy high register; very dense and durable.
- Cocobolo - a rich, resonant tropical hardwood prized for its tone and striking grain.
- Bubinga (African rosewood) - a rich sound, very strong and durable, with a striking reddish-purple grain.
- Ebony and grenadilla - two of the densest woods used for wind instruments (grenadilla, or African blackwood, is the wood of professional clarinets and oboes). Both give a warm, powerful tone, keep moisture out and have a classic black look. Side by side the difference in sound is hardly noticeable; grenadilla is a little heavier in the hand.
- American walnut - a warm-toned Mid-level wooden kaval and a great value choice.
Besides wood there is the Transparent kaval, hand-turned from high-quality acrylic to a glass-like finish, fully waterproof and never needing oil, and the Delrin Mid, machined from the same material I use for the mouthpieces and joints of my wooden kavals.
What is the difference between a plastic and a wooden kaval?
The finger holes are exactly the same on all my kavals, so the fingering you learn carries over directly. The difference is in the bore and the material. The Intro is a pipe with a uniform inner diameter, in high-quality PVC or durable aluminium; the Mid is machined from solid Delrin for a noticeably better sound. Both are affordable, extremely durable and completely waterproof, unaffected by temperature and humidity and almost maintenance-free, which makes them ideal for beginners, travel and outdoor playing. Wooden kavals have a hand-crafted bore shaped in fine detail and a warmer, richer and more expressive tone, because the material has a strong effect on the sound. They need a little care, which I explain below.
What do "Intro", "Mid" and "Pro" mean?
These are quality levels. Intro is the most affordable: the plastic kaval in PVC or aluminium, with a good sound for the price. Mid uses better materials for a noticeably better sound: the Delrin kaval and the American walnut kaval. Pro instruments are made for professionals from the finest materials: cornelian cherry, wenge, cocobolo, bubinga, ebony/grenadilla and the transparent kaval. The ebony/grenadilla kaval comes in two designs, Model 1 and Model 2, which differ only in their look; the wood, sound and price are the same.
What is the Exclusive Marbled Edition?
A one-off cornelian cherry kaval in D, from wood aged for ten years, with a mouthpiece and joints in a black marbled composite veined with white instead of my usual Delrin. There is only one, it is not made again and it is paid in full (no instalments). If it is still on the site, it is still available.
Who makes your kavals?
My kavals are made by my uncle, master kaval maker Biser Vasilev, in Zlatograd in the heart of the Rhodope mountains. Every single instrument is then played, tuned and approved by me personally before it ships, so you receive a kaval that plays in tune and sounds its best.
Does the kaval come with a case?
Yes. My wooden and transparent kavals come with a case. I also sell a case separately, made of high-quality synthetic leather, for kavals in D, C, B flat and A. It protects the instrument from scratches and the weather and is a good addition to a plastic kaval.
How can I learn to play the kaval?
There are two ways to learn with me, and you can combine them. The Beginner Kaval Course is a self-paced online course you can follow from anywhere, at any time. If you prefer personal guidance, I also offer one-to-one lessons, online or in person. You can begin with a short, low-cost trial lesson to see if the kaval is for you, then continue with a package of lessons. Neither option requires any previous musical background.
What is included in the Beginner Course?
The Beginner Kaval Course is a complete starting point for absolute beginners through to intermediate players. It includes 12 professionally filmed video lessons, downloadable PDF materials and sheet music, an updated fingering chart for the kaval in D, and exercises for technique, breathing, rhythm and sound improvement, along with the basics of music theory. I created the course and it was filmed by a professional team, and you study it online at your own pace. No prior musical knowledge is needed.
What is in the lessons and trial lesson?
The trial lesson lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, in which I show you the basics so you can decide whether to carry on. After that you can choose a lesson package (small, medium or large) of individual 35-minute lessons, taught online via Microsoft Teams or in person in Sofia. Every package includes a PDF handbook covering kaval basics, sound production, maintenance, breathing technique and Bulgarian folk music, with flexible scheduling at roughly one lesson per week. Your lessons stay available to you even if you take a break for a while. In-person lessons are in Sofia only; after you pay for a package you receive an email with all the details.
What does the Starter Bundle include?
The Starter Bundle combines a plastic kaval in D (Intro) with the full Beginner Course, at a lower combined price than buying them separately. The kaval is tuned in D to match the course, and the course takes you through sound production, breathing, technique, rhythm and basic theory, with a PDF handbook and fingering chart. It is everything an absolute beginner needs, with no prior experience required, shipped worldwide and backed by my 30-day money-back guarantee.
How do I care for a wooden kaval?
A wooden kaval needs a little simple care to stay in good condition, because the moisture from your breath can be absorbed by the wood and cause cracking over time. The key is regular oiling, which forms a protective barrier. Traditionally makers use olive oil; many players today prefer almond oil because it has no smell. Oiling also gradually darkens the wood, which is completely normal and expected - a well-cared-for kaval grows deeper and richer in colour over the years, and cornelian cherry in particular changes noticeably. When the kaval is new, oil it often, ideally before each playing session, and keep your sessions fairly short for the first month or so. As the instrument settles in, you can oil it less frequently. After playing, dry the inside, re-oil it, and let it rest in a shady spot before returning it to its case. Keep your kaval away from cold, direct heat, direct sun and sudden changes in temperature, all of which can cause the wood to crack. Plastic kavals need none of this and are essentially maintenance-free.
The full guide, step by step: How to take good care of your kaval.
What warranty do the kavals carry?
My Pro wooden and transparent kavals come with a 5-year warranty. Mid-level instruments, the Delrin Mid and the American walnut kaval, come with a 3-year warranty. The warranty covers manufacturing defects.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, I ship from Bulgaria to most countries in the world, all by DHL Express, tracked door to door. Orders are processed within 1 to 3 business days; kavals marked "made to order" take about two to three weeks first. Delivery after dispatch is usually 1 to 3 business days within Bulgaria, the EU and the UK, 2 to 4 to the US, 2 to 5 to Canada and 2 to 7 to the rest of the world. Shipping is free on orders over 150 EUR. Within the EU there are no import duties. Outside the EU, import duties and taxes depend on your country's rules; they are not included in our prices and are paid by the customer, so please check your local customs rules.
What is your return policy?
I offer a 30-day return policy, and customers in the European Union have an additional 14-day right of withdrawal. Items must be returned unused and in their original packaging, and returns need to be approved first, so please contact me before sending anything back. Custom and made-to-order kavals cannot be returned. You can read the full terms in my Refund Policy.
When will my kaval ship?
Kavals in D (Re) are usually ready and ship within 1 to 3 working days, and so does anything not marked "made to order". Options marked "made to order" (mostly the wooden kavals in C, B flat and A) take about two to three weeks before they ship. After that DHL Express delivers in 1 to 3 working days within Bulgaria and Europe and 2 to 7 working days to the rest of the world. Courses and lessons are available right after payment.
Can I pay for a kaval in instalments?
Yes. Every wooden kaval and the Delrin Mid can be paid in four equal instalments, with or without the Beginner Course. There is no interest, no automatic billing and no fixed schedule: you pay each instalment when you are ready. From the first instalment the price is held and your instrument is reserved for four months, and the kaval ships as soon as the fourth instalment is paid. You will find the plan through the link on each kaval's page. The Cornelian Cherry Marbled Edition is a one-off and is paid in full, and discount codes cannot be used on instalments.
How do I pay my next instalment?
Log in to your account with the email you used for the first instalment (the person icon at the top of the shop; you get a one-time code, no password needed). On the Orders page you will see "Your payment plans" with your progress and a "Pay instalment" button that takes you straight to checkout for the next one. Each instalment is a separate order, so please do not buy instalment 1 again.
What pitch are your kavals tuned to?
My kavals are tuned to A = 442 Hz, with the joints pushed all the way in.
Can you make a kaval in a key or wood that is not listed?
Often, yes. Write to me at info@zhivkovasilev.com with what you are looking for. It depends on how busy the workshop is, but a new kaval is usually made within about a month and then shipped right away.
Can I get an invoice for my company?
Yes. Send your company details (name, address and VAT or registration number) and your order number to info@zhivkovasilev.com, and I will prepare the invoice and send it to you.
Can I talk to Zhivko directly?
Yes. Write to me at info@zhivkovasilev.com. I read and answer every message myself.
How can I get in touch?
Write to me at info@zhivkovasilev.com or use the form on my contact page, and I will be glad to help.