Just like Duduks, reeds can have different sizes to match the tonality of the instrument on which they are used. When acquiring your Duduk, it is important to ensure that the reed is tuned to the Duduk; otherwise, your Duduk will be out of tune due to the mismatch between your reed and your instrument.
Adapt the reed to your Duduk
For Duduks in F (Fa), G (Sol), A (La), and B flat (Si bémol), a standard reed about 10 cm in length is used.
For Duduks in B (Si), C (Do), and C# (Do dièse), a shorter reed of approximately 9 cm is needed to be perfectly adjusted to the Duduk.
And for Duduks in D (Ré) and D# (Ré dièse), a special reed of 8 cm is required to have a well-tuned Duduk.
Flexibility (or strength) of the reed
Another characteristic of a reed can be its flexibility during use. Some reeds may present a notable complexity due to their construction, although the sound they produce is excellent.
This complexity comes generally hand in hand with quality. If reeds can sometimes be difficult to use, it's because they are designed for experienced musicians who seek very specific sounds, even at the cost of extra effort compared to a standard reed, which produces a less warm and less precise sound.
Each craftsman develops their own scale for classifying reed strengths. However, to standardize our product range, La Maison du Duduk has categorized reed strengths into three levels: Strength 1, 2, and 3.
To meet the demands of the European market for Duduk reeds, our store primarily offers strength 2 reeds, considered the ideal compromise between a pleasant tone and ease of use. However, if you order a reed without a Duduk, we provide you with the option to select the strength of the reed according to your preference.
Reed quality
Like Duduks, reeds are crafted by professionals dedicated to this art. They are shaped by experts in the field. Although some artisans are capable of producing both Duduks and reeds, it is advisable to turn to specialists who have dedicated their craft to making Duduk reeds, as they possess more extensive knowledge and experience, offering superior reed quality.
Their profession involves locating reed plantations across Armenia, working the plant to form a reed, following traditional reed preparation processes, perfecting it for easy play, and many other techniques. It goes without saying that making a Duduk reed requires extensive expertise and rare craftsmanship.
La Maison du Duduk offers two ranges of reeds for the Duduk : the first range, intended for beginners and intermediates, is suitable for those who are not necessarily seeking sonic excellence for their instrument. The second range, of superior quality, is designed for musicians in search of a significantly higher sound quality.
