At Capan ("Horse Rider")
Part 3: The Language of Music
Print this Page- By Dave Fossum
- Country: Turkmenistan
- Dates of Service: 2004-2006
- Related Publication: Video: The Language of Music
Intro Clip:
Anchor: Let's now ask a few questions of Annamuhammet Aga, who is a well-known and well-respected musician and dutar tutor in Turkmenistan. (Older people are referred to as "Aga" in Turkmen, as a sign of respect.) Annamuhammet Aga, isn't it amazing to have a foreign citizen in Turkmenistan as your student? Hopefully it wasn't too challenging for you to teach him to play a Turkmen instrument?
Annamuhammet: Thank you. We call Dave, Dawut, because that is the Turkmen for David, and this is the way he first introduced himself to us. When Dawut first came to see me, we had a good conversation. I asked him why he chose to learn to play this musical instrument. I asked him if he really liked it, and he told me that he enjoyed the sound of it very much. He informed me that since he already had played guitar, musical instruments with strings attracted him. I checked his musical capabilities and realized that he was a gifted young man. I started teaching him—we did not have any problem in understanding each other, because he already spoke some Turkmen. Since he was also very knowledgeable in reading musical notes, I began to teach him by using sheet music. He pays utmost attention to every melody he learns. I watched him master the instrument more and more with each piece he learned. When I saw how talented and interested he was in my national instrument, I decided to teach him everything I know. At the moment, he can play approximately 15 songs. You will listen to one of his performances shortly. He is making nice progress.
[David performs At Capan ("Horse Rider") with Annamuhammet]
End Clip:
Dawut: Teacher, Muhammet, thank you very much. I have been learning to play dutar for a year. Although not a master yet, I have already learned to play a few songs. I will continue to study after my departure and will never give it up. You also taught me very much about the music of the world in general. Therefore, thank you very much.
Anchor: Would you like to add anything, Maestro?
Annamuhammet: Dawut, as you see, although it will take you more time to become a master of the dutar, you have started down that path. My wish for you is that you don’t stop playing dutar after you travel back to the United States. I also want to extend to you a huge personal gratitude for your esteem and love of our national music. Thank you.
Anchor: Well done and thank you. We’re summing up our performance with this today. Please be well to stay and God be with you until we meet next time.
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