Duduk

The duduk (duduk) is an instrument with a cylindrical bore and double reed. The body usually apricot wood usually has 10 holes. 8 holes on top and 2 on the lower side, one for the left thumb, the other hole being in agreement. However, this hole can be closed by bringing the body of the instrument musician, for a particularly low note.

The double reed called ghamish is made of a single piece of flat reed, split and ligated at the connection with the body of the instrument. The ring of regulation on the reed stabilizes the sound.

The reed is held between the lips of the musician which prevents it from being "free". Hence results a single vibrational mode and the range of the instrument is reduced to a twelfth.

"Originally duduks were made of reed," he elaborates. "Reed is a water plant so it's very vulnerable to humidity. When water seeps into the plant, its parameters change which also alters the instrument's sound." In Armenia the best duduks are made of apricot wood. The tree has to be old, around fifty or sixty years and solid to get the beautiful timbre of the duduk sound. When the trees are too old to bear fruit anymore, they’re perfect for woodwork.