Launeddas

The launeddas are a traditional Sardinian wind instrument with a single reed which has been there for about 2900 years in use. They consist of two shorter melody pipes ( mancosedda and mancosa manna ) and a longer third drone without handle holes ( Tumbu ).

The two melody pipes have four rectangular handle slots, including sitting in a fifth elongate voice and sound hole. The tubes and tube sheets are made from giant reed pipe and the Sardinian Places Arundo Pliniana turra. For mood, the tongues of the reed are weighted with lumps of wax.

The launeddas be used in different sizes and tunings and played in various combinations. For storage of different melody pipes a leather quiver ( straccasciu ) serves.

Play

The two melody pipes are usually played two voice polyphony. The left hand holds the same Tumbu and mancosedda, which are also connected to each other ( croba ). The right hand plays the melody leading mancosa manna. Traditionally, the launeddas be played with circular breathing. The launeddas be played in the social events of the peasant and the Church's life, especially to the accompaniment of parades and Sardinian dances.

History and distribution

The launeddas are related to the single-reed instruments in Ancient Egypt. A found in Sardinia, phallic bronze statuette is a preform having three equally long cylindrical tubes, similar to those obtained up to the present in Sardinia benas. The three-inch high figure shows a player who attacks the game tubes with arms outstretched at the bottom. It is dated to about 1000 BC. Thus, the Sardinian reed instruments are older than the Greco-Roman Aulos.

In the Middle Ages triple instruments were also common in other European regions. There are pictures shown with three parallel sound tubes (two Bordunrohre without finger holes ). They originate from the Iberian Peninsula ( Cantigas de Santa Maria) and from an English manuscript ( Codex of Canterbury School 12th century ).

As in Sardinia have been preserved instruments with single reeds and cylindrical bores especially in the Mediterranean and the Near East. These include the Turkish sipsi (simple acoustic tube ), the Lebanese midschwiz ( two equally long melody pipes, without drones ) and the Egyptian Arghul ( a shorter chanter, a drone ).

The mood of the melody and drones khaen has a clear similarity with the Laotian bamboo mouth organ, as it is played on Sardinia. Christian missionaries brought in the 19th century when they return the khaen to Europe. The Sardinian shepherd broadcast the game, the launeddas on the Southeast Asian tongue punch instrument.

Artists

Famous Sardinian Launeddasspieler include Fabio Melis, Luigi Lai, Antonio Lara and Dionigi Burranca. Many Launeddasspieler build their instrument itself, such as Cesare Carta, a Launeddasmeister from the city of Nuoro in the Barbagie ( Sardinia).