Launeddas

Launeddas
Launeddas
Woodwind instrument
Classification single-reed aerophone
Hornbostel–Sachs classification422.211.2
(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]

  • Closeup of the reeds of the launeddas
    Closeup of the reeds of the launeddas
  • A variety of launeddas
    A variety of launeddas
  • A Sardinian man in traditional clothing playing the launeddas
    A Sardinian man in traditional clothing playing the launeddas
  • Ancient launeddas player from Ittiri
    Ancient launeddas player from Ittiri
  • 1280 A.D., three-reed pipe set from Cantigas de Santa Maria
    1280 A.D., three-reed pipe set from Cantigas de Santa Maria
  1. ^ a b Kroll, O. (1968). The Clarinet. New York, NY: Taplinger Publishing Company.
  2. ^ Rice, A.R. (1992). The Baroque Clarinet. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b Surian, pg. 190