Présentation
The GGA workshop is a family-run atelier founded in Yerevan in 1991 by Galust Galstyan. Specializing in the crafting of Armenian wind instruments, particularly the Duduk, it is now one of the most active and renowned workshops in the country.
The work initiated by Galust Galstyan and his brother, Hayrapet Galstyan, is now carried on by their nephews and sons, Aram and Hayk, who have been upholding this artisanal expertise within the family for over twenty years.
The name GGA, an acronym for Galstyan Galust Aram, embodies this family continuity, which remains at the very heart of the workshop’s identity.
Galust Galtyan ©
Music within the Galstyan Family
The musical tradition surrounding the GGA workshop is deeply rooted in the family's history. The founder, Galust Galstyan, was a passionate admirer of Armenian wind instruments, particularly the Duduk. Although he had no formal academic training, he cultivated a regular musical practice and a natural curiosity for the artisanal crafting of instruments.
His nephews, Hayk Galstyan and Aram Galstyan, grew up in a family environment where music held a central place.
Hayk studied the Shvi in various music schools before turning to the broader family of Armenian wind instruments, in which he developed advanced technique and mastery.
Aram, on the other hand, distinguished himself through a more versatile approach, whether string, wind, or percussion instruments, exploring a wide variety of instruments with ease. His journey reflects both a broad musical curiosity and an intuitive artistic sensitivity.
This musical lineage goes back even further. The brothers’ great-grandfather was already a Duduk player and amateur maker in the mid-20th century, passing down the earliest foundations of a craft that would span generations.
With the exception of the grandfather, who represents the only break in this musical chain, every member of the lineage has been connected, in one way or another, to the practice or the crafting of instruments.
Thus, music and instrument making have accompanied the Galstyan family for several generations. It is this living heritage, passed down with consistency and passion, that today fuels the spirit of the GGA workshop and sustains the continuity of an artisanal know-how deeply rooted in Armenian tradition.
His First Encounter with Instrument Making
The story of the GGA workshop begins in a way that is both simple and deeply symbolic. One day, Galust Galstyan discovered that an apricot tree in his orchard had been knocked down by the wind. Saddened by the loss of the tree, he approached it, observed the wood for a long time, and began to work on it with care. Through this direct contact with the material, an intuition emerged. This apricot tree, a symbolic essence of Armenia, could continue to live in the form of an instrument. Dense, fragrant, and resonant, the wood seemed to him to carry a unique timbre. Galust then decided to attempt crafting a Duduk.
The very next day, he went to his friend Rafik, a renowned musician, to receive his first advice. He then sought out Karlen Matevosyan, a legendary master luthier, who agreed to pass on to him the foundational principles of instrument making. The beginnings were demanding, with long nights of work, repeated attempts, and errors to correct, but passion ultimately prevailed.
After many efforts, Galust presented his first Duduk to Karlen Matevosyan, who validated his work. This recognition marked the true birth of the workshop, officially founded in Yerevan in 1991.
Galust was soon joined by his older brother, Hayrapet, followed by the latter’s sons, Aram and Hayk, who gradually took over the direction of the workshop in the early 2000s. Together, they diversified the production and expanded the range of instruments, including Duduks, Shvis, Bluls, Pkus, Zurnas, and bass Duduks.
Workshop Philosophy
With more than thirty years of experience, the GGA workshop is built upon a family dynamic where knowledge transmission, exchange of ideas, and collective work hold a central place. Without this intergenerational circulation of skills and perspectives, the workshop could never have developed with such consistency and coherence.
This collaboration between generations enables the union of tradition and innovation, both in the crafting and in the presentation of instruments. Artisanal gestures are passed on directly, while the evolutions of the musical world are carefully incorporated.
As highlighted by Hayk Galstyan, now one of the workshop’s leading figures:
“Life moves forward, and if we do not stay in harmony with its rhythm, we risk losing everything that was built with so much effort.”
This philosophy reflects a more open and evolving mindset compared to previous generations, who were often very attached to their knowledge and less inclined to change.
Hayk and Aram play a decisive role in the contemporary evolution of the workshop. Their openness to the world drives them to introduce meaningful innovations, including the addition of new tonalities to the range, the crafting of Duduks tuned to 432 Hz, a frequency increasingly appreciated for its particular acoustic qualities, and even the experimentation with wild apricot wood, which is denser and offers a sound color highly valued by many professional musicians.
Inspired by its history, its artisans, and its ethics, the GGA workshop remains deeply respectful of the Duduk and its artisanal culture of craftsmanship, which it is committed to preserving while guiding it through a carefully curated evolution.
Variants and Diversity
With more than 30 years of experience, the Galstyan workshop has established itself as a leading reference in the crafting of Armenian wind instruments. Through a rigorous approach and a know-how transmitted within the family, the workshop creates instruments that are both faithful to tradition and adapted to the demands of contemporary musicians.
In addition to traditional Duduks available in all tonalities, the workshop has developed several variants that meet specific acoustic and artistic requirements. Among them are bass Duduks in A, models tuned to 432 Hz, increasingly sought after for their unique frequency and sound resonance, and instruments made from wild apricot wood, a dense and complex essence to work with, but highly valued for its acoustic richness.
Although the workshop produces relatively few and is not specialized in these instruments, its expertise extends beyond the Duduk. It also includes the crafting of Shvis, Bluls, and Pkus, all made with the same commitment to sound quality and fine craftsmanship. This ability to shape a range of instruments, without compromising precision or musical identity, reflects decades of accumulated experience and a constant dedication to understanding the needs of musicians.
Instrument Innovations and Enhancements by the Galstyan Workshop
Enhancement and Dissemination – 432 Hz Duduk
The 432 Hz Duduk is a variant of the traditional Duduk, tuned to a frequency slightly lower than the standard 440 Hz. Long considered marginal in Armenia, this tuning was largely developed and disseminated by the Galstyan workshop, which was among the first to offer it in a structured and consistent manner. Thanks to this initiative, the 432 Hz Duduk gradually gained recognition among musicians seeking alternative tunings for their artistic projects, whether in contemporary composition, world music, or immersive sound creation.
Improvement – Zurna Mouthpiece
Traditionally, the mouthpiece of the Zurna, still very common in this form in Turkey, was made as a removable piece called the “betcha”. This component allowed the insertion of a small metal tube into the instrument and created an artificial cylindrical narrowing inside the bore, which was essential for facilitating the production of higher notes. Starting in the 1990s, Galust Galstyan also contributed to promoting a new approach to instrument making, during a period of artisanal effervescence when several Armenian makers were seeking to modernize the instrument.
Today, most Zurnas are crafted with an integrated narrowing in the upper register, shaped directly during the manufacturing process by the artisan. This ensures greater acoustic stability and eliminates the need for the traditional betcha.
Improvement – Blul
Hayk Galstyan has played a major role in improving the Blul (also called Sring), in close collaboration with musician and musicologist Norayr Kartashyan. Together, they carried out extensive experimentation, focusing on both tonal variations and the structural design of the instrument. Their work led to the development of single-piece Bluls, followed by two-piece models, and eventually three-piece instruments that incorporated a removable head. This innovation makes it possible to easily replace the part most prone to damage and wear, extending the lifespan of the instrument while facilitating maintenance.
Artists and Musicians Using GGA Workshop Instruments
With more than thirty years of experience, the Galstyan – GGA workshop has established itself as one of the most respected and active ateliers in the crafting of Duduks and traditional Armenian instruments. Its exceptional know-how has earned the trust of many renowned musicians, including Vitaly Poghosyan, Norayr Kartashyan, with whom the workshop closely collaborated on the improvement of the Blul, Gag Hakobyan, as well as many other leading artists.
Official Distinction and Status
Distinctions
The workshop has also received the official distinction of “Master of the People”, an honorary title awarded by the Armenian government in recognition of the excellence of its craftsmanship and its contribution to the preservation of traditional instruments.
Statut
The GGA workshop is a family-run atelier specialized in the crafting of Duduks. The work is organized collectively, with each member of the family holding clearly defined roles to ensure a coherent and well-controlled production process. Aram, Hayk, and Galust work together, each contributing their expertise at a specific stage of the making.
The workshop also relies on several mechanical lathes, one of which is dedicated to automating the wood diameter shaping process.
Transmission of Knowledge
Within the Galstyan family, the transmission of craftsmanship remains a fundamental value. Aram’s and Hayk’s children are still young, yet they are growing up in this artisanal environment where the Duduk and traditional instruments hold a central place. One day, they may continue this family tradition, carrying forward a craft and heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Visitez l'atelier Galstyan
The Galstyan – GGA workshop, located in Avan, Khudiakov Street, 3rd Line, 22, Yerevan, benefits from a spacious and fully equipped working environment, allowing it to welcome visitors, musicians, and enthusiasts of Armenian traditional instruments. Unlike small independent ateliers, the GGA workshop operates as a true family-based structure, where multiple workstations, specialized tools, and precision machines coexist in a well-organized and bright setting.
Known for its warm and authentic atmosphere, this space is regularly included in cultural tours and heritage visits dedicated to Armenian craftsmanship. Travelers, musicians, and curious visitors can discover the different stages of Duduk making, observe the work of Aram, Hayk, and Galust, and sometimes even try a few instruments.
Sources
The information presented in this blog article is based on direct exchanges with Hayk Galstyan. In order to ensure the reliability of the content, the article was reviewed and approved by Hayk Galstyan himself, with the aim of providing you with the most accurate details regarding his biography and background.
Interviews, videos, and additional resources:
Duduk Lesson: Making Master Class © GGA
How is Duduk, Armenian Musical Instrument Being Made © GGA
