Each nation has its own national musical instrument. For Armenians, such a device is a special flute - duduk. He is able to create unusual music, which has a calming effect on people, sets them up in a good way. Everyone has ever had to fall under the magical beautiful music of duduk. This instrument makes just magical sounds. Therefore, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the history of the emergence of this magic flute, the secrets of its manufacture, sound features, famous performers.
Armenian duduk - music for the soul
The ancient Armenian flute will never become obsolete, because its singing pleases people. Duduk is an instrument that makes sounds in tune with nature. In it is the spirit and history of the people. It is impossible to imagine the culture of Armenia without this musical device.
Duduk is an ancient flute that is known far beyond the borders of Armenia and has many admirers. In 2005, UNESCO recognized that the duduk is a masterpiece of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World. For Armenians, this instrument is considered an excellent gift, unusual, special.
It is important to note that the duduk is a wind musical instrument. This is a kind of wooden tube with nine holes. Eight holes are located on the front side, and one on the back, for the thumb. To some, the design of this flute resembles a Russian pipe. Different Caucasian peoples use Duduk, but it has Armenian sources.
With the help of this wind device, the Armenian people conveys their feelings and emotions. Duduk is a source of magical melodies. They are used for feasts, dances, orchestral performances. Duduk sounds especially beautiful at celebrations and for performing folk tunes.
Duduk performance is usually performed in pairs by two duduk musicians. One musician is assigned the main role to play the melody. Another duduk player must play continuously to ensure the tone of the main performer. The music that the duduk plays is velvet, soft, with a soft timbre.
Instrument Origin History
Armenian music and duduk are inseparable concepts. There is no exact time for creating the tool. It is known that this is a very ancient instrument that has kept its construction for many years. As far back as the 5th century, the Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi wrote about “tsiranapokha”, that is, about the duduk. Some historians determine the age of the instrument at 3,000 years.
This version is associated with the state of Urartu, which was once located on the Armenian Highlands (modern territory of Armenia and parts of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan). Urartian written sources contain mention of a musical device similar to a duduk.
It has been thoroughly proven that in the Middle Ages this tool was used very widely. Proof of this are ancient manuscripts with illustrations. Some scientists put forward the version that the duduk created during the reign of Tigran II the Great. Evidence was found that it was used by residents of the Crimea and the Balkans.
Initially, the instrument was made of bone and reed. Then they began to use apricot wood. Sometimes a nut and a plum were used to create the device.
Armenians are very fond of their national instrument. They even retell one legend about duduk. This is a story about how Young Wind fell in love with an unusual tree that grew in the mountains. When the Old Whirlwind found out about this, he decided to destroy the tree and all the vegetation around. The young wind began to convince Whirlwind not to do this, but he made a condition. The wind could no longer move, otherwise the beloved tree would die. The wind restrained itself until late autumn, until the leaf fall ended. The promise flew out for a moment from the head of the Young Wind, and he whirled in the air. As soon as it took off, the tree immediately withered and withered. Soon there was only one branch left of it, for which the Wind accidentally caught on his sleeve. Over time, one local poor man found this thread; he made a pipe out of it. The little flute published magical songs of fidelity and love. So, according to legend, a duduk appeared.
Secrets of making a duduk
Initially, animal bones and reeds were used to make a duduk for the soul. Then they began to use mulberry, apricot and plum tree. Today, the best breed for making duduk is considered an apricot tree. It has excellent characteristics for resonance. The sound of such a musical device is very soft. Other materials give a sharper sound. The duduk has a special tongue - a musht, which is made of two reed particles.
The sound of the duduk will depend on the structure and length of the product. Short instruments allow you to play dance tunes, and long duduks - beautiful music for the soul in the form of love and lyric compositions. This amazing flute has a muffled, velvety sound with emotional notes.
To learn how to beautifully reproduce sounds on duduk, you need a lot of patience and training. First, the musician touches the end of the cane with his lips, only very carefully. Then he puffs out his cheeks so that his lips separate from the gums and teeth. This gap will help to exhale and make a sound without tension. To make the sound diverse, it is enough for a musician to close and open the holes on the instrument with his fingers. Vibration of reed plates is also used.
Who makes duduks?
Once, a musician had to make a magic flute himself, it was not performed by order. Thus, he put a particle of his soul into the pipe, so its sound was velvet and vibrant.
Today, dudukists themselves do not make tools. Professionals carry them out with all the subtleties of technology and the selection of material. It is important to note that a musical instrument is referred to as a single-octave diatonic view.
Using a wind instrument in a movie
Beautiful Armenian music on duduk sounds in many films, series. Sometimes people don’t even think about with what instrument such a magical melody is created. To create films with world renown, a game of duduk was used. It is worth mentioning the masterpieces: "Gladiator", "Da Vinci Code", "Ararat", "Pirates of the Caribbean". Duduk also sounds in "Titanic", "Alexander", "Hulk", "Munich" and other movies.
In Transcaucasia, this instrument is accompanied by funeral ceremonies and weddings. Their presence is required at festivities. Many ensembles, national orchestras can not do without duduk.
What you need to know about duduk music artists?
With the help of a magic Armenian flute, a musician can stir up all the most exalted in the listener's heart. Composer Aram Khachaturian said that it was after listening to the duduk that tears would flow from his eyes. The wonderful melodies that the Armenians create on it brought glory to the instrument.
Among the most famous dudukists are Jivan Gasparyan, Hovhannes Kasyan, Ludwig Garibyan, Vache Hovsepyan, Sergey Karapetyan, Gevorg Dabagyan. These masters on the longest instruments (40 cm) perform amazing lyrical compositions.
The magical effect of duduk sounds
The sound of the duduk will appeal to those who are fascinated by morning bird singing, the quiet murmur of mountain streams, the quiet rustle of foliage. The sound of the magic flute resembles the delicate melody of the forest. All natural music is transmitted by the duduk. The sound of the instrument is warm and soft, with lyricism, emotionality, expressiveness. A person listening to these wonderful melodies is flooded with spiritual peace. It is especially useful to listen to such music after a hard day in order to fill with peace.
Tips for purchasing a musical instrument
Many amateur musicians want to buy a duduk. It is not easy to get a real Armenian instrument made by a master, because such a product is sold individually. Of the most famous masters of the North Caucasus, Arkady and Armen Kahramanyany are known. This is a son and father who, for forty years, performed several hundred of these flutes. They even opened their own shop selling these wonderful tools.
Magic duduk requires special care. The tool barrel must be periodically lubricated so that the apricot tree does not dry out. As a lubricant, use fresh walnut oil. Such an oil is made independently by grinding the kernels of nuts in a mortar. Then the resulting mass is squeezed through a soft tissue. It is important that the oil does not get inside. The oil-rubbed pipe has a beautiful appearance. It is important to note that before the sale of each instrument is thoroughly tested.