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How do I Learn the Art of Armenian Duduk?

The Armenian duduk is a woodwind musical instrument. It is believed to be the only traditional instrument played in the country today that has confirmed Armenian roots. It has been around since before the time of Christ, and versions of it have appeared in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Today, the duduk enjoys recognition in the West thanks to the film scores of "The Last Temptation of Christ," "The Crow" and others. Because of its adaptability, soulful sound and cross-cultural appeal, the duduk is accessible to just about anyone interested in playing it.

Instructions

    • 1
      The duduk has appeared in both Western and Armenian music.

      Learn about the music you will be playing. Traditional Armenian music ranges from slow and mournful to quick and dance-like, while modern adaptations tend to have a more Western sound. Familiarizing yourself with the sounds that appeal to you the most will help you to eventually reproduce them.

    • 2

      Get a feel for the capabilities and limitations of the instrument. The duduk only has a range of one octave, or about one seventh the range of a piano. Its holes also only accommodate eight of the chromatic notes within a scale rather than the full 12. The player has to understand how the scale works and cover holes halfway to create the in-between notes. While it may seem simple to play an instrument with such a small range, it takes practice to produce the desired sound.

    • 3

      Have your instrument tuned, cleaned and fitted with a reed. Buying an instrument in poor or incomplete condition without knowing how to fix it is like purchasing a non-functioning car without understanding its mechanics. If the duduk is in top shape before you play, you will be able to learn your way around it without having to fuss with maintenance.

    • 4

      Learn the mechanics of the instrument. Its body is a long tube with 10 finger holes made of apricot wood. The duduk is a double-reed instrument, with two connected reeds at the top that resemble those of the Western oboe or bassoon. The reeds are where the player's mouth goes, and the body is where the player fingers the notes and the source of the sound that comes out.

    • 5

      Hold the instrument in front of your chest, with your elbows bent, when playing. Keep your body relaxed and upright to maximize air flow; do not slouch. Place your lips on the reed, only closing around the very edge without letting air escape or touching it with your teeth. Let out a steady stream of air to produce sound. Make sure to only breathe from the diaphragm.

    • 6

      Experiment with fingerings and scales once you consistently get sounds out of the instrument. Use a piano to help you work on tuning. As you become more comfortable with the notes, you can begin to work on melodies.

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