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 Launeddas | |
| Woodwind instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | single-reed aerophone |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 422.211.2 (single reed instrument with cylindrical bore and fingerholes) |
| Related instruments | |
| arghul, bülban, clarinet, diplica, dili tuiduk, dozaleh, cifte, mijwiz, pilili, sipsi, zammara, zummara | |
The launeddas (also called the Sardinian triple clarinet) are a traditional Sardinian woodwind instrument made of three pipes, each of which has an idioglot single reed. They are a polyphonic instrument, with one of the pipes functioning as a drone and the other two playing the melody in thirds and sixths.[1]
Predecessors of the launeddas are found throughout Northern Africa and the Middle East. In 2700 BCE, the Egyptian reed pipes were originally called "memet";[1] during the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2778–2723 BCE), memets were depicted on the reliefs of seven tombs at Saqqara, six tombs at Giza, and the pyramids of Queen Khentkaus.[2]
The Sardinian launeddas themselves are an ancient instrument, being traced back to at least the eighth century BCE,[3] as is testified during the Nuragic civilization by an ithyphallic bronze statuette found in Ittiri. The launeddas are still played today during religious ceremonies and dances (su ballu in Sardinian language).[4] Distinctively, they are played using extensive variations on a few melodic phrases, and a single piece can last over an hour, producing some of the "most elemental and resonant (sounds) in European music".[4]
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Closeup of the reeds of the launeddas -
A variety of launeddas -
A Sardinian man in traditional clothing playing the launeddas
- ^ a b Kroll, O. (1968). The Clarinet. New York, NY: Taplinger Publishing Company.
- ^ Rice, A.R. (1992). The Baroque Clarinet. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
- ^ Surian, Alesso. "Tenores and Tarantellas". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pg. 189–201. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0. Surian calls the launeddas very ancient, appearing on votive statues from the 8th century BC.
- ^ a b Surian, pg. 190
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