Duduk & Guanzi

The Armenian duduk is one of the oldest double reed instruments in the world. Over the centuries, the duduk has traveled to many neighboring countries and undergone subtle changes, such as its specific tuning and number of holes. Today, variations of the duduk can be found in Georgia (duduki), Azerbaijan (balaban), Turkey (mey), Persia and the Balkans. The basic form has changed little in its long history. Originally, like many early flutes, the instrument was made of bone. Today, the body is made of apricot wood. The duduk is a deceptively simple instrument. Its range is an octave and a quarter. It is untempered and diatonic and available in several keys. The duduk's velvety, melancholy sound and wide dynamic range have made it popular for a variety of musical genres. Traditionally, it is played in small ensembles, often in duet with frame drums such as the daf, in lyrical songs and dances. Today, it is also played in larger professional ensembles and in urban clubs.

This double reed instrument is related to the duduk and is often used in funerals, weddings, regional opera, temple and folk music. It is usually made of ebony, rosewood or red sandalwood, with metal rings around the ends as decoration. Unlike the Western oboe or the much younger Chinese suona, both conical instruments, the guanzi has a cylindrical bore. That partly explains its clarinet-like sound. The reed is quite hard compared to an oboe reed. The instrument has 7 holes on the front, and one or two thumb holes. The guanzi is made in different sizes and keys and is usually between 25 and 30 centimeters long. Some modern guanzi have valves, to make it easier to play in different keys.