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Duduk



The Duduk is an Armenian wooden wind instrument made from the wood of the apricot tree. Other varieties of the instrument include Balaban or Balaman, Duduki, and Mey, which are also found in Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. In addition to being called by different names, the sound of the Duduk differs greatly depending on the country where it was played. The main differences lie in the technical nuances of playing, particularly lip control. Armenian musicians use a highly developed technique to simulate the human voice on the Duduk. Thus, the Duduk accurately expresses Armenian feelings.

It has been documented that the roots of the Duduk originate from the time of King Tigran the Great (95-55 BCE). Archaeologists have even located examples from 1000 B.C. The ancestor of the Duduk is the ancient flute (Aulos), which is made from reed. It is depicted in various old Armenian manuscripts. There is also evidence of miniatures of other flute families in Armenian medieval times. They are originally made out of bone, cane, or wood and have been used to play tunes and communicate with the flock. The form in which the Duduk is known today was improved by Vardan Bouni. Throughout history, the Duduk is often played at Armenian events, such as weddings and funerals to accompany popular Armenian traditional songs and dances.

Even though there are famous Duduk soloists, such as Gevorg Dabaghyan and Vache Sharafyan, the Duduk is generally performed by two musicians. The first player creates the environment for the lead melody, playing a continuous drone and holding it by circular breathing while the other performs complex melodies and improvisations. The types of the Duduk range in length from 28 to 40 cm. Depending on the content of the piece and the playing context, the sound of the Duduk may convey a variety of moods. For example, the 40-cm-long Duduk is considered the most appropriate for love songs, while the smaller one is usually used to accompany dances.

Throughout the last few decades, Duduk craftsmen have continued to create and experiment with various forms of Duduk. Many Armenians consider the Duduk to be the instrument that most eloquently conveys warmth, joy, and their history. However, the popularity of the Armenian duduk has declined, particularly in rural areas. It is increasingly rare to find the Duduk instrument used in popular festivities. The instrument is more often used in stage performances by professionals, setting the music's viability and traditional characteristics at risk.

References

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