Tutak
Listen
|
The tutak has been a common shepherds’ musical instrument since ancient
times. It is a type of pipe. Various types of tutak are spread throughout many
countries. Both large and small versions of this instrument are used in
Azerbaijan, mainly as solo instruments in ensembles and orchestras of national
instruments. The tutak has a pleasant, soft timbre.
The cylindrical trunk is made of apricot, walnut, mulberry or reed. The trunk
is 280-300 mm in length, and 20 mm in diameter. It has seven apertures on the
front side and one on the back side. A wooden plug, which is cut slantwise, is
inserted into the top end of the trunk. A crack of a certain size is left
between the wooden plug and the wall of the body. Air is breathed out through
this crack. By opening or closing apertures with the fingers of both hands, one
can produce sounds of various pitches. The instrument’s scale covers a diapason
from the “ti” of the small octave to the “do” of the third octave.
|
