Shakhlicha
Shakhlicha
(also shakhlycha, shakhlich), a Chuvash folk wind instrument, a type of vertical flute. The shakhlicha appears in end-blown and Apple versions, the former resembling the Moldavian fluer. It is made of maple wood, linden bark, and thin tin. The end-blown version has five or six finger holes, and the fipple version two, four, or seven. Only men, primarily young men, play the shakhlicha, which is used to perform improvised lyric melodies or dance tunes. The instrument produces a gentle, soft tone.