Zhaleika
Woodwind instrument | |
---|---|
Other names | Zhalomeika, sopel’, pishchelka, fletnya, duda, zgaleyka, zhalijka, rizhok |
Classification | Single-reed aerophone |
Decay | Fast |
Related instruments | |
Hornpipe, clarinet, pishchiki | |
Musicians | |
V.V. Andreyev |
The zhaleika (Russian: жале́йка), also known as bryolka (брёлка), is a Slavic wind instrument, most used in Belarusian, Russian and sometimes Ukrainian ethnic music.[1] Also known as a "folk clarinet" or hornpipe. The zhaleika was eventually incorporated into the balalaika band, the Hungarian tarogato, and may have contributed to the development of the chalumeau, a predecessor of the clarinet.[2]
Construction and design
The zhaleika consists of a single
The single pipe is about 10–20 cm long with 3 to 7 finger holes. The reed is made out of either cane or goose feather, and the end bell is made of cow horn or birch bark. The double type consists of two pipes and one bell, and is found mainly in the southern parts of Russia.[3]
Tuning
The zhaleika has diatonic tuning and comes in various keys (G,A,D, sometimes C,E,F). It has a natural or "normal" soprano voice, but can perform in alto or piccolo forms. It is tuned by adjusting the reed and can be tuned to the major scale or mixolydian mode with flattened 7th note. Only an octave's worth of notes can be played.[1] Its timbre is described as "piercing and nasal, sad and compassionate".[3] There are some chromatic variations of modern zhaleika too.
Origination and uses
The zhaleika was a
In Slavic cultures zhaleika was a well known funeral instrument and its name is near to a word that means "compassionate". Zhaleika sounds in many compositions of Belarusian folk-metal band Znich, Ukrainian metal bands Chur and HASPYD, Ukrainian ethnic band DakhaBrakha. Zhaleika sound like a one piped bagpipe.
See also
References
- ^ a b c LaPasha, Robin (2006). "Zhaleika". The Russ Wind Homepage. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
- ^ Kroll, O (1968). The Clarinet. New York, NY: Taplinger Publishing Company.
- ^ a b "Zhaleika". Russia-InfoCentre. 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
- ^ ISBN 9780816013098.
External links
- HORNPIPES: Russian Zhaleika Tunesian Ma-gru-nah SEAN FOLSOM on YouTube
- Zhaleika on YouTubePictorial instructional on how to make a zhaleika (in Russian)