Musical instrument duduk: history of creation, interesting facts, description and photo

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The variety of wind instruments is amazing. They appeared at the dawn of civilization and have always accompanied mankind in solemn ceremonies. It is the ancient origin that gives rise to diversity. Each nation has its own unique instruments. For example, there is such a musical instrument as the duduk. The bewitching, bewitching timbre of the wind instrument cannot leave you indifferent. Whose musical instrument is the duduk and what is known about it?

Classification of wind instruments

Wind instruments are varied. They differ not only in shape, but also in the material from which they are made. The technique of performance and, of course, the timbre depend on how a musical instrument is made. It is the coloring of the sound that allows us to accurately understand which instrument sounds. What are wind instruments?

FirstTurn, wind instruments are so called because the sound is formed due to the vibration of the air column inside the instrument. Therefore, they are referred to as aerophones.

The register of wind instruments directly depends on the size: the smaller the instrument, the higher the sound and vice versa, the larger the body of the wind instrument, the lower sounds can be played.

Interesting ways to change the pitch of sounds, they are very specific.

Using the muscles of the face, the position of the lips and the blowing force of the air flow, the musician changes the air column, in connection with which overtones begin to sound - higher sounds

Checking this is easy: just take any whistle or whistle bird and blow into it with different strengths.

On some instruments, the pitch is changed using holes, valves or backstage

If we classify wind instruments according to the source of vibrations, we can distinguish 3 groups:

• Labial. The source of vibrations is a jet of air that cuts against the sharp edge of the instrument wall (labium). For example, flutes.
• Reed. Here the source of vibration is an oscillating tongue located in the mouthpiece of the instrument. These instruments include oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon.
• Mouthpiece (ear cushion). In this group, the musician's lips are the source of vibrations. Mouthpieces include all brass wind instruments. In particular, horn, bugle, trombone, trumpet, tuba.

And, of course, one cannot fail to mention the classification familiar to us, in which wind instruments are divided into wood andbrass, as well as a separate group, somewhat intermediate - saxophones.

Basically, this classification is applied to the instruments of the symphony orchestra, which are the most common. But according to the mentioned classification, one can also define a folk instrument, duduk, for example.

Duduk is a reed woodwind musical instrument with a double reed. It is a tube with nine (or other number) playing holes.

To verify the accuracy of the description, you can look at the photo of the duduk instrument.

Distribution of musical instrument

Most often duduk is called an Armenian musical instrument. Usually it is associated with this country. In Armenia, it is known as tsiranapokh, which can be translated as "apricot pipe" or "soul of the apricot tree." A very poetic name for an instrument with a charming timbre! The sound of the instrument is deep, warm, velvety, muffled. It seems that he himself has a soul, feelings. The instrument is also found among the peoples of the Caucasus, the Balkan Peninsula, the Middle East, Asia Minor and even in Persia.

Origin of musical instrument

Duduk, like many folk instruments, is very ancient. One of the first mentions dates back to the 5th century AD. It is often depicted on medieval Armenian manuscripts. The performance of music on this instrument, which unusually accurately conveys the features of the Armenian language, has been an integral part of the culture and life of Armenians. Music accompanied folk festivities,wedding and funeral ceremonies.

Features of the structure of a musical instrument

Often the uniqueness of the sound of an instrument depends on the shape. In terms of size, the Armenian musical instrument duduk is quite small - 32 centimeters (especially when compared with another wind instrument - the organ). Duduk cane - 12 centimeters. Most of the holes are on the front surface, one is on the back. The instrument also has a pitch control, which allows you to adjust the instrument if necessary.

Features of materials for making duduk instrument

Although the duduk is often called the "soul of the apricot", the instrument can be made not only from this tree. There are duduks made from mulberry, plum and walnut trees.

The choice of material is very important: the color of the sound depends on it. For example, the traditional apricot duduk has a softer sound than instruments made from other types of trees.

The instrument's double reed is made from cane. Due to its large size, it gives the duduk a sad character of sound.

Duduks are different in structure, size and formation. For example, there is an alto duduk, a tenor duduk, a bass duduk, and even a piccolo duduk! Like many wind instruments, duduks have a variety of tunings: Sol, La, B-flat, Do, Re, Mi, E-flat, Fa. Sometimes musicians have a whole set of wind instruments in different keys to perform various pieces.

Performance Features

Although the instrument is considered diatonic, it is still possible to obtain chromatisms on it by partially covering the holes. Folk compositions are often performed by two instruments: one duduk is assigned a melody, the second creates a tonic organ point - pulls one note throughout the entire work. For this performance, a rather complicated technique of continuous breathing is used.

The instrument is also widely used in folk orchestras.

The performance technique depends not only on how the musician holds the instrument, but also on whether he is relaxed, on the position of the head and even on the elbows. There are special rules for playing sitting. Particular attention is paid to breathing: chest, abdominal or mixed. Correct hand placement also plays an important role.

It would seem that the duduk is a folk instrument. What could be easier than performing a piece on a folk instrument? But no, to become a professional tsiranapohe player, you need to devote a lot of time to studying and mastering professional skills.

Outstanding Artists

As is the case with other musical instruments, there are a number of outstanding musicians who have dedicated themselves to duduk and have achieved extraordinary mastery of performance. Not surprisingly, in the case of Tsiranapokh, these are representatives of Armenia.

For example, Jivan Gasparyan is a duduk master, one of the most famous duduk musicians. Jivan is also a recognized composer. He is known for composing soundtracks for Hollywood films.

Famous duduk players are also: Ludwig Gharibyan, Jivan Gasparyan Jr., Vache Hovsepyan, Gevorg Dabaghyan, Sergey Karapetyan, Mkrtich Malkhasyan, Hovhannes Kasyan. The last of the duduk players is a representative of Georgia, which indicates the popularity of this instrument in other countries.

Armenia also has an ensemble in which all performers play the duduk. The collective is called, oddly enough, "Dudukner". The music performed by them literally draws pictures of the nature of Armenia, makes you feel the color and individuality of this country, enchants and bewitches. The ornate, ornamental melody, sounding against the background of an organ point, conveys oriental liveliness, and percussion instruments add brightness. It is not for nothing that the concerts are called “Magic Duduk”. There really is something magical about this tool!

Similar instruments in other cultures

As is often the case, the duduk has its own "brothers of other nationalities": instruments that have similar designs and sounds.

For example, in Azerbaijan there is a balaban instrument. If we compare it with a photo of the duduk musical instrument, then it is quite difficult to find significant differences. But this is just a balaban, not a duduk!

In China there is a wind instrument called guan. Like the duduk instrument, it has a reed and 8-9 holes and is a woodwind instrument. It is interesting that it is made of wood, less often of bamboo or reed.

Chinese instrument toneslightly more piercing, but no less mesmerizing.

Turkey is not deprived of a folk musical instrument either. Here it is called mei and has much in common with duduk.

In China there is a wind instrument called guan. Like the duduk instrument, it has a reed and 8-9 holes and is a woodwind instrument. It is interesting that it is made of wood, less often of bamboo or reed.

Interesting facts

• Duduk is also called the Armenian clarinet.
• There are duduks made of various materials, even crystal.
• In Armenia, the performers of this musical instrument are very revered, and the instrument itself is popular.
• In the past, duduk players were considered frivolous, insolvent in Armenia and were denied matchmaking.
• Aram Khachaturian, being an Armenian composer, said that the duduk was the only instrument that could make him cry.
• If you think that you could not hear the sound of the duduk anywhere, then you are probably wrong. The instrument is popular in Hollywood and often appears on the soundtracks of famous films. For example, "Gladiator", "The Da Vinci Code", "The Passion of the Christ", "Xena - Warrior Princess" and even "Game of Thrones".
• It is curious that in Moscow there is a monument to the Armenian duduk, erected in 2006.
• Duduk is a very durable instrument (many musical instruments cannot boast of such quality).
• Longer duduks are better for playinglove songs, the shorter ones perfectly capture the nature of dance music.
• The Japanese and Americans tried to convey the lively soulful timbre of a musical instrument on a synthesizer. But they didn't succeed.