At the large-scale Festival of Ukrainian brands "WOW ART UKRAINE - Art of free people", which took place in Odesa on May 26, very diverse participants gathered. This event was aimed at uniting people who, even in difficult times of war, continue to actively represent Ukrainian culture and identity in the world, promoting the Ukrainian language, brands, music and art.
One of the participants of the festival was Yuriy Puzik, the owner of the PUZZ Drums glucophone workshop. In March, he was a partner of the Charity Auction "Volunteer Amulet" in Odesa.
Now he presented his project entitled "Music as a journey into the depths of the Ukrainian soul. The mystery of glucophone patterns". It was about this unique topic that ElitExpert talked to him behind the scenes of the festival.
— When someone hears the sound of a glucophone for the first time, they are usually amazed. It sounds like music from another world. Yuriy, please tell us how you discovered these musical instruments and what prompted you to engage in their production?
— It all started when one of my friends showed me such a tool. I immediately thought it was really cool and loved the idea of combining my love of metal with music. It was something new and exciting, and I decided to create such tools myself.
I believe that glucophones are suitable for absolutely everyone. There are no age restrictions for these instruments, and they do not require sheet music or special knowledge. Playing the glucophone is absolute freedom and creativity.
— Glucophones are often associated with meditation. Why do you think this happens, and what other possibilities does this tool open up?
— Indeed, many perceive the glucophone as an instrument for meditation because of its soothing and melodious sound. However, each musical instrument can be used in different ways - you can play it on stage, or you can play it at home - for yourself.
— How long have you been engaged in the production of glucophones and what was it for you at the beginning: a business, a hobby, or something else?
— I have been doing this for five years. The first year I worked alone, and now we have a whole team. It's hard to say what it was in the beginning. When I first saw a glucophone, I immediately knew that I wanted to make them myself. My wife helped me in everything she could.
— What exactly does the production process look like?
- Actually, the process is quite multi-staged. First, we cut the shape out of metal sheets, using machines for forming hemispheres. Then, with the help of a laser, we make petals, after which we apply engraving. Next comes the cleaning process, after which we burn the glucophone to give it these colors. Then there is the process of setting up the instrument, after painting there is a final setting, and at the final stage, the glucophone is covered with varnish, glued, checked and then it is considered completely ready.
— How long does it usually take to make one glucophone?
— Depends on its size. For example, it takes about 8-10 working hours to make one average glucophone. This is quite painstaking work that requires accuracy and attention to detail.
In general, the manufacturing process for each size has its own characteristics. For example, small glucophones are easier to adjust, and large ones are more difficult. In large glucophones, there are many notes on each petal - one overtone, the second, the third... In fact, there can be a whole chord that needs to be tuned, and it takes more effort. On the other hand, small glucophones have a more complex design.
— Do buyers often ask you to conduct master classes on the game?
— I currently don't have time to hold master classes, but there are teachers who specialize in teaching glucophone playing. They work in Kyiv and in the Carpathians, where you can learn the basics of the game...
— Looking into the future, what are your future plans for the production of glucophones? Will it remain so, so to speak, manual, or do you plan to put production on stream and make them in large volumes?
— I am sure that our glucophones will become one of the leading and world-famous brands. Our approach to manufacturing may evolve over time, but we will always maintain the high quality and uniqueness of each instrument.
- Where are your customers from? Is your market limited to Ukraine?
- No, not at all. We sell glucophones not only in Ukraine. The main countries where we have customers are the United States of America, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. And we also had buyers from different parts of the world, from the Netherlands and Japan to such exotic places as the islands of French Polynesia and Madagascar.
Olena Ovchinnikova communicated
