Suona

The Suǒnà (Ch唢呐) is a traditional Chinese woodwind instrument that is reminiscent of the western oboe.

Construction

It is composed of a conical timber similar to the body of the oboe, but includes a mouthpiece and a removable horn, each composed of copper or brass. Behind the mouthpiece ensures a double reed for the characteristic high, piercing sound.

The instrument exists in several sizes. Since the beginning of the 20th century "modern" versions were developed in China, the more approximate the western oboe and some also allow the playing of chromatic notes. Examples are the Zhongyin, the Cizhongyin and the Diyin - suona, which are mainly used in the woodwind groups of modern large Chinese orchestra use, while most folk music groups continue to use more from the traditional version.

Use

The suona is an important tool of the northern Chinese folk music; special popularity it enjoys traditionally in the province of Shandong. Together with the mouth organ sheng, drums, gongs, and other instruments, the suona is part of the so-called Chuida or Guchui ensemble, which airs especially at weddings and funerals. A certain role of the instrument in military bands.

In addition, the suona place to a limited extent outside China use. Immigrants they brought about to Cuba, where it is used to this day as corneta china fixed element of the otherwise arising solely from percussion instruments in Comparsa Groups conga music of Carnival, which has its stronghold in Santiago de Cuba. Also, the American jazz musician Dewey Redman grabbed at his performances occasionally for suona.

Origin and Distribution

The suona is not original Chinese instrument, but was taken from the music of Central Asia. It is one of the resulting space in the Persian oboe type of Surnais from which is derived the name. These instruments have become widespread with the spread of Islam in Asia. The suona is therefore related to the Indian Shehnai and the Hne of the southern neighboring country Myanmar. Comparable instruments are from Korea ( Taepyeongso ) and Vietnam ( Ken construction) known.

One of the suona very similar instrument is displayed on a located in the province of Xinjiang along the Silk Road religious monument dating from the 3rd to the 5th century. The suona appears as an instrument of military music on additional images for this time in Shandong Province; often it is played by horsemen. In Chinese literature, the instrument does not appear, however, in front of the Ming period.