Shawm

The shawm, also Schalmay, Schalmey, Ciaramella, Kalamaia, Pommer, is a woodwind instrument with a double reed and conical drilled tube. They usually has seven permanent front finger holes. A thumb hole for the left thumb may also be present.

The sound is very loud, sharp and nasal especially in the low register. The range is 1 ½ -2 octaves, being once injected into the octave. The instruments are chromatically with the exception of the small second playable by fork handles to the lowest tone. This directly blown reed instrument a pirouette ( pirouette ) is often used to relieve the lips.

The shawm has oriental precursors which are called in Iran and Central Asia Sornay and Turkey zurna, and emerged in the Middle Ages in Europe. During the Renaissance, it was built in c / f sentiment in the vocal ranges garklein, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The Bassschalmei is already very cumbersome and requires a lot of air.

Since the mid-20th century shawms be re- built and played. In addition to playing music from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the shawm is occasionally used also in folk and modern music.