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He displayed one of them – a sopilka – a Ukrainian ethnic flute made from wood. Tafiychuk can make a flute in a day. He’s had lots of practice, having created his first instrument when he was just 6 years old.
“I like everything about my job. I enjoy the process, I always have the desire to do it. Even now, despite my age, I still love making all the existing instruments,” he said.
Tafiychuk makes instruments with the help of tools that he also custom builds.
“Everyone is surprised by this fact. They say that musicians shouldn’t do hard physical work because it’s incompatible with music. People are surprised when I perform at weddings,” Tafiychuk said.
In his native village, Tafiychuk is the only one with the skills to make various types of traditional woodwind instruments. He knows everything, from the elements of their construction, to the details of their history.
“This is a hurdy-gurdy,” Tafiychuk said, demonstrating a crank-turned instrument. “Its body is made from poplar wood. The music played on this instrument wasn’t played at weddings, it was performed by blind people. They were making money by playing this instrument.”
Tafiychuk has visited numerous countries. He’s performed at universities in Germany and Poland. He’s even played at festivals in New York. Now, he hopes to pass on his craft to his children and grandchildren.
