Altai Komus: A First Introduction

Vladimir Potkin, 2003

This is the online version of Vladimir Potkin's unique disc Altai Komus: A First Introduction. It was the first attempt to create a multimedia course for mastering one of the world's oldest musical instruments: the jaw harp, represented here by its Altai form, the komus.

Since ancient times the komus has accompanied people at home and in the mountains, while hunting and beside a fire with friends. Its sound reaches the player and listeners directly through vibration. In a structured series of videos with English subtitles, the Russian jaw harp maker Vladimir Potkin explains how to choose a komus, introduces the foundations of sound production, teaches breathing while playing, and demonstrates several advanced techniques.

The well-known Altai musician and singer Nogon Shumarov demonstrates different komus styles and combines the instrument with traditional Altai throat singing, or kai. The creators hope that the course will open up the ancient yet continually renewed art of playing one of humanity's simplest and most vivid musical instruments.