Double clarinet
The term double clarinet refers to any of several
The double clarinet is not a clarinet in the modern western sense of the term, since it lacks a register key; in this regard it is more closely related to the chalumeau.
Varieties
Double clarinets are found primarily in Middle Eastern music, but also in India;[1] there are different versions and names in different countries. In Yemen, the double clarinet is called a mizmār (a word used for other types of instruments in other countries). More common terms are zamr, zammāra, arghūl, and mijwiz. The first two of these names have the same linguistic root as mizmār.[2]
In Albania the instrument is called a zumare. It has five holes in each pipe, and a bell.[2]
In Egypt the instrument is known as a zummāra. Both tubes are about thirty to thirty-five centimetres long; one may have four to six holes while the other has none and acts as a drone, or both can have holes. Its range is very limited, about a fourth.[2]
The arghūl is primarily an Egyptian instrument, having a melody pipe with five to seven holes and a longer drone pipe without holes. It occurs in several sizes. In one specimen the melody and drone pipes are about 80 and 240 centimetres long, respectively, though the drone has removable sections to alter its pitch.[3]
Iran has a variety of double clarinets, made from raptor bones, copper or aluminum tubing or wood. The instrument is called
The Iraqi double clarinet is also called a zummāra, although this term also is used for a single-tube simple clarinet. It is similar to the Syrian mijwiz.[2]
In Morocco and Tunisia the instrument, called zamr, has a single or double bell. The Moroccan instrument has six holes in each pipe. The Moroccan mizmār or zamr rīfī is over 100 centimetres long, again with six holes in each pipe, ending in two bull's horns.[2]
The double clarinet in Syria, western Iraq, Lebanon, northern Israel, and Jordan is called a mijwiz. It is about thirty centimetres long, typically with six holes for each tube. Melodies are played in unison on both pipes, often with one pipe tuned slightly higher than the other to produce acoustic beats.[4]
The Yemeni instrument is called a mizmār. It is attached to the player's mouth using a muzzle.[2]
In
In the island of Ibiza, in the Balearic Islands of Spain, there is the reclam de xeremies. Basque Country has the alboka.
-
The zamar, a Rifian traditional musical instrument
Other meanings
- Double clarinet might refer to an organ stop, also known as the bass clarinet or bass clarionet. ("Double" is here used in the old-fashioned sense of a double-length and hence lower-pitched version of an instrument, e.g. "double bassoon" meaning contrabassoon.)[5]
- Concertos for two clarinets are known as double clarinet concertos.
- Some pieces by clarinetist-composers Eric Mandat and William O. Smith call for two clarinets to be played simultaneously by one person. These works are sometimes listed as being written for "double clarinet."[6]
See also
- Launeddas, a triple clarinet from Sardinia
- Aulochrome, recently invented double soprano saxophone
- Aulos, arguably the ancestor of these instruments
- Argul, a traditional Arabic musical instrument
References
- ^ "List A1: Wind Instruments of Regional Cultures Worldwide". Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments. 2000. Archived from the original on 2007-05-26. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5.
- ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5.
- ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5.
- ^ "Bass Clarinet". Encyclopedia of Organ Stops. 1999. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ^ "Extended Possibilities: William O. Smith at 90 | International Clarinet Association". Archived from the original on 2020-10-08. Retrieved 2020-10-05.