The Duduk

Presentation

The Duduk (Դուդուկ in Armenian) is a cylindrical woodwind instrument. Known for surprising its audience by making a very deep and warm sound despite its size, the Duduk tends to arouse the admiration and astonishment of the public, particularly because of its simple manufacturing process. 

According to the oldest sources, which are wall paintings found in caves located in Anatolia and the Caucasus, the Duduk dates back to 3500 years, which makes it one of the oldest instruments to be deeply enrooted in the culture of the people of those regions.

Manifacturing

The Duduk is a cylindrical wind instrument with a length of 35 cm, made from the wood of apricot trees, more specifically “Prunus Armeniaca”. The artisans choose the mature part of the tree, namely the core of the apricot tree. After cutting the amount of wood needed, the pieces of wood are stored for 5 to 9 years, in order to get rid of all its moisture.

The traditional Duduk has 10 holes, 2 of which are located in the back and 8 in front of the instrument. These holes are arranged according to the diatonic scale just like most European instruments.

The Duduk can come in many different shades, this can be because of various reactions that take place between the wood and lime, or even the variety of varnishes that are applied to the instrument. The color of the wood has no relationship with the sound the instrument produces.
A double reed is used to play the instrument, similar to ones you might find on a Bassoon or an Oboe. Made out of two thin reeds, the double reed vibrates when blown into properly and creates a distinct sound. The reed is attached to the instrument during performance and should be removed when stored.

Sound

Known for its warm and soft sound, the Duduk is an instrument quite often compared to the human voice, which explains its ability to touch the soul of its listeners. The sound it creates is regarded as enchanting, deep, and melancholic which makes it easier to transcribe emotions if needed, especially in cinema.

To facilitate the use of the Duduk in other musical styles, and to create atmospheres other than the melancholy, expert craftsmen have created different-length Duduks to play with the tonality and the pitch of the instrument. Today, we find Duduks in all tonalities, the most common ones being Duduks in Fa (F), Sol (G), La (A), Si (H), Sib (B), Do (C), Re (D).

Duduks in Fa (F) and Sol (G) reach deeper tonalities, which makes them perfect for melancholic and/or love songs. Duduks in La (A), Si (H), and Sib (B) are used in folk music where the Duduk originated from. The higher-pitched Duduks in Do (C), and Re (D) are used in more upbeat pieces, concerts, weddings, and many other events.

Range and Use

The traditional Duduk is capable of playing 20 notes. Besides the obvious notes that can be played by covering the holes, one can cover half of a hole to obtain half-tones. (This would not be applicable for the 1st, 5th, and 8th since they are half-tones themselves, by covering them you would get a difference of a quarter-tone.)

There are some specific techniques used to play different notes on the Duduk:

1. Tightening the lips: By blowing into a Duduk with none of its holes covered, you should hear the note in which the Duduk was tuned. If you are playing on a Duduk in La (A), you should hear the note La (A) being played. However, by changing the tightness of your lips on the reed, you can also play the notes Si bemol (Bb) and Si (H/B).
   
2. Using your lower belly : When all your fingers are occupied, you can lower the instrument to cover the whole located on the back of the instrument. By doing so, you are able to play two extra notes, Fa (F) et Mi (E).

History

Until the 18th century, the making of the Duduk explicitly relied on the use of Bamboo. The reed, which was attached to the main body at the time, would undergo extensive wear, which created the need to make another instrument from scratch.

Over time, local Armenian craftsmen acquired the needed expertise to choose the ideal wood for the Duduk. The Bamboo, being a material subject to rapid degradation, was replaced by the wood of apricot trees, which are known for their durability to various temperatures and humidity levels and have a life of 30 to 50 years.

The craftsmanship of Armenian Duduk artisans has allowed the instrument to achieve remarkably accurate and clear sounds, enabling professional use, especially for live concerts.

In the 1940s, thanks to Markar Markaryan, a renowned Duduk player, the Duduk officially gained the status of a concert instrument, thus ceasing to be reserved for festivities only.

During this period, experts and instrument makers started experimenting with the making of the Duduk from wood from various countries and concluded that the best qualities of apricot wood were found on the dry and arid Armenian soil. After careful selection, preservation, and preparation, the wood offers a warm and magical sound that is considered one of a kind.

Years went by and the instrument became more and more popular amongst Armenians, who continued promoting the instrument. In 2005, an official application was submitted to UNESCO to register the instrument as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

National Symbol

Throughout history, the Armenian people have stayed true to the traditions of the instrument, endowed with soothing, relaxing, and purifying virtues. The Duduk has transcended many eras and significantly marked the history of these people by being the instrument for life events such as baptisms, weddings, village feasts, and notably funerals.  

Over the centuries, following multiple repressions orchestrated notably by the Ottoman regime, the Duduk acquired a particular symbolic dimension in the life of the Armenian people. Thus, it became the emblematic instrument reflecting not only aspects of their existence but also the traumas that came from their history, such as the Armenian Genocide. Following these tragic events, the Duduk became the instrument to express the suffering experienced by the Armenian people in a realistic and deeply moving way

The Duduk, an authentic symbol of Armenia, has made its way throughout the Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Balkans, as well as eastward along the ancient Silk Roads. However, despite its geographical expansion, it has managed to preserve its original musical identity, thus allowing for global recognition of the instrument.