Duduk Care
The reed needs very special care, it must be kept with the cap closed and the bridle (ring) high.
If the reed is closed tight and does not open naturally by your breath you can put a small amount of water into the reed but the cap must be closed then the water must be poured out right away.
The reed must be allowed about 10 minutes for opening, the wooden part must be kept in a dry place because the damp can crack or deform your reed.
Playing Position
When playing the Duduk the body must be kept natural & unconstrained, the Duduk should be held at a 40-45 degree angle to the body. your arms must be a little higher, and the back and head must be straight.
The Duduk can be played either standing or sitting, but these rules must be kept:
When playing in a standing position the right foot must be a little forward, and in a sitting position you should not put one foot on another. All mentioned rules are necessary for keeping the correct breathing.
Breathing
For many brass instrument players correct breathing is one of the hardest things to perfect, it is very important to learn how to breath correctly when playing the Duduk.
For Duduk players it is very convenient to breath either mixed or by chest-belly breathing, this type of breathing lets you take in more reserve of air which gives an opportunity to reach the freedom of music and to achieve the best tone.
During deep inhale the chest becomes larger and the diaphragm comes down, during calm exhale the ribs of the chest and the diaphragm come to their first position. It must be followed, that the deepness of inhale be corresponded to a length of the musical phrase. One must strive to conserve energy so that all your concentration can be put into the music you are playing.
Poor breathing is a waste of energy, it makes the muscles tired and reflects badly to the music you are playing and also to your health.
Hand and Finger Position
The fingers have three pads but only two pads are used when playing theDuduk.
The Duduk has two positions:
1:only first hand's three fingers are used, the first hand's first pads are used and also second hand's second pads.
2:during the second position the first hand's four fingers & second pads are used and the second hand's four fingers' second pads.
Usually Duduk players put the left hand above, but many also people put the right one above.
Lip Position
Only the top part of reed is put on the edge of the lip to achieve a nice sound.
It is very important to swell/puff the cheeks out.
Without swelling the cheeks it's impossible to get a nice sound.
Using this technique Duduk players become flexible.
Vibrato
Vibrato is achieved is the work of the lips and cheeks. Vibrato can be slow or fast.
Decorations (Melizms)
Such melizms, playing special musical elements is very hard for Dudukplayers and it demands lots of practice as only by the help of fingers can it sound authentic.
You must work also throat and lips. with the joint work of fingers, throat and lips one can achieve tunes peculiar to instrument.
Some decorations (mordents, trills) can be achieved without moving the fingers, they can also be achieved using only the throat and lips.
when playing folk songs Duduk player must try to follow the music’s main lines, stressing of the text, meaning. All at once the player must freely use special musical elements, decorating, leaning to his technical ability and inward feelings.
One one must always try to communicate the songs in an appropriate way.
Stakatos by Air (by Throat)
Stakatos, immediate sounds are achieved by the help of the throat.
This technique is especially used when playing fast dancing melodies.
