Called 'Ghamish' (from the Turkish kamış, meaning 'reed') or 'Yegheg' (in Armenian Եղեգ), the reed of the Duduk is of equal importance to the wooden body in producing a warm timbre. Evidently, it is the vibration of the reed that produces the Duduk's characteristic sound.
The shape of the reed has notable similarities to those of the oboe or bassoon, being made up of two flattened reed blades which, when blown into, vibrate before delivering the sound of the instrument. These blades originate from the same circular base and gradually tapered as they approach the mouthpiece. This type of reed is commonly known as a 'double reed', as opposed to the single reeds found on instruments such as the saxophone or clarinet, which have only one reed blade.
The reed of the Duduk consists of three distinct parts :
- The Body, which is the flattened reed with the two blades
- The Ring, which lets you play with the tuning of the instrument
- The 'Mouthpiece Cover' serves to protect the mouthpiece of the reed, known for its fragility.
As for dimensions, a reed for a bass Duduk measures 10 cm in length and 3 cm in width, while for a high-pitched Duduk, it is 8.5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide.
Sound of the reed
The warm timbre of the Duduk largely depends on the quality of its reed. Although the reed may be easy to play for professionals, it can also sometimes be a bit stubborn, which can be frustrating for the player, especially if they are a beginner.
Besides the meticulous preparation of the reed by a skilled craftsman, several factors must be met to achieve a quality sound, including its proper preparation, and its proper use.
1. Manufacturing of the reed by a craftsman
Of course, this step is crucial as some reeds may seem perfect visually but have imperceptible defects. In preparing the reed for the Duduk, the craftsman must ensure two things :
Tunned correctly, to naturally have an instrument that is in tuned and usable in an orchestra
Easy to play: The craftsman works to make the reed easy to play by carefully adjusting its superficial parts, by sanding it with abrasive paper when the reed blades are too thick to vibrate.
It is imperative to choose a reed from an experienced craftsman to obtain a warm and light sound, otherwise, the player might end up frustrated with the complexity that comes with handling a poorly prepared reed.
2. Preparation of the reed by the musician
The final sound of the Duduk will also depend on the preparation of the reed before playing the instrument. Following the steps below will help you achieve a warmer and more pleasant sound from the instrument. The Duduk's reed consists of two thin reed blades that are extremely fragile, so it is advised to never handle the reed by the top of its body.
Steps for preparing the Duduk's reed :
- While keeping the mouthpiece closed, completely fill the reed with warm water from the bottom of its body
- Leave the water in the reed for about ten seconds, then empty the water Let the reed dry for 10 to 20 minutes
- After 20 minutes, take your reed and place it on the Duduk horizontally, so that your lips naturally rest without tilting your head.
- When the reed is well placed, remove the mouthpiece from the reed, then with the help of the tuning ring, tighten the space between the two reed blades until you get a gap of 2mm, which will facilitate the sound production (remember, if the reed is too tight or too loose, producing any sound will be very complicated, adjust the opening according to your needs & capabilities).
- It is possible that some reeds take longer to prepare than others, if you find that the sound is not warm and soft enough after 20 minutes of drying, play a few notes then let your reed rest for another 10 minutes, then notice the difference.
It is important to note that the Duduk is a handcrafted instrument and has its complications and peculiarities. It is not uncommon for beginners to complain about the sound of their instruments, but it is good to know that the warm sound of the Duduk is assured not only with the quality of the instrument but also with the quality of the musician's breath. ( Read: Breathing techniques )
3. Proper use of the reed
What is meant by "proper use" ?
After following the preparation steps of reed, it is important to handle it properly. Proper use simply involves placing the reed correctly on the lips and pushing it slightly inside the mouth until it touches your incisors. This isolates the reed and avoids air leaks. As this practice can be difficult to explain in writing, we advise you to learn it from a teacher or watch an explanatory video on our YouTube channel.
Reed tone
Just like the Duduk, reeds can have different sizes to fit the tonality of the instrument they are used on. When acquiring your Duduk, it is important to ensure that a reed tuned to the Duduk is provided, otherwise, your Duduk will be poorly tuned due to the mismatch between your reed and your instrument.
For Duduks in Fa (F), Sol (G), La (A), and Si flat (B), a standard reed is recommended, which is the most common and measures about 10cm.
For Duduks in Si (H), Do (C), and Do sharp (C#), you will need an even shorter reed, about 9 cm to fit perfectly to the Duduk.
And for Duduks in Re (D) and Re sharp (D#), you will need a special reed of 8 cm, to have a tuned Duduk.
For the Bass Duduks in A, you will need the same reeds as those used for the traditional A Duduk. The only difference is the requirement for a more flexible reed to ease playing on a Bass Duduk. Since the instrument is quite long, musicians prefer single reeds to avoid unnecessary fatigue during their practice.
Manufacturing of the Reed
Duduk reeds are often made, by experts in the field. Although some craftsmen are capable of manufacturing both Duduks and reeds, it is advised to consult specialists who have dedicated their time to making reeds specifically, as they have more extensive knowledge and experience, thus offering a superior quality reed.
A big part of their job involves locating reed plantations throughout Armenia, working the plant itself to shape it into a reed, following traditional reed preparation methods to perfect it, and many other techniques. It goes without saying that making a Duduk reed requires in-depth expertise and skill.
Here is a general description of the steps in making a Duduk reed :
1 . Collecting Reeds: Artisans themselves go to regions where reeds usually thrive, often along rivers, to handpick reeds suitable for making reeds.
2 . Preparing the Reeds: The reeds are carefully selected and dried to eliminate moisture and heighten their strength. Then, artisans remove excessive parts and prepare the reeds for transformation into reeds.
3 . Shaping the Reeds: Artisans use special tools to cut and shape the reeds into Duduk reeds. They make sure to respect the traditional shape and dimensions of the Duduk's characteristic double reed.
4 . Adjusting and Refining: The reeds are precisely adjusted to ensure proper tension and optimal resonance. Artisans adjust the thickness, length, and width of the blades, to obtain the desired sound and facilitate playing.
5 . Finishing and Polishing: Finally the reeds are sanded, polished, and inspected to guarantee their quality and aesthetic. Artisans make sure that the reeds are smooth and free of defects that could affect the sound.
Each artisan may have their own specific techniques and methods, passed down from generation to generation. The making of Duduk reeds is a complex artisanal process that requires time, patience, and in-depth expertise to produce high-quality reeds.
In this video, you can follow the different steps of making a Duduk reed.
Making a reed by Alex Duduk
