Zurna
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For other meanings, see Zurna (disambiguation) and Surna (disambiguation)
The Zurna (also called Surna) is a surnay woodwind instrument of Asia Minor used in traditional weddings along with a Davul. It is similar to the Mizmar. The Zurna was also often featured in the military music ensembles of the Janissaries. Zurnas are also used in the folk music of surrounding nations, especially Bulgaria, Republic of Macedonia, Armenia, the Caucasus and Greece. It is known by names which vary location to location. The Zurna was most likely the immediate predecessor of the European Shawm as well as the Chinese suona still used today in temple and funeral music. In terms of musicology there are several type of zurnas. They all share one and the same sound inductor - the so called kalem which is actually a very tight (and short) double reed, sometimes made out of wheat leaves. The Armenian zurna is the shortest reaching only 15cm, and respectively it is has the highest pitch of all the zurna family. The longest (and lowest) is the Kaba zurna, used in northern Turkey and Bulgaria.
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[edit] Zurla
A wind instrument usually made of walnut or plum wood. It consists of two parts: a conical pipe and a beak (slavec) which is inserted at the upper end.
The zurla has seven finger holes and one thumbhole on the back, vent holes in the lower part, and a reed with a disc on the upper end.
In playing, the zurla is held with both hands slanted at ~45° from the eyesight. The fingers of the right hand cover the lower four holes, the left hand fingers cover the upper holes and the thumbhole. The flattened reed is placed completely in the mouth and the lips touch the metal disk (mednik) which aids the cheek muscles. Playing this instrument requires a characteristic circular breathing.
The zurla plays two octaves of approximately the natural scale. Chromatic tones (D#, F#, A# and B#) are also available, by changing the breath pressure and a combination of the tone holes covered.
The zurla has a distinct, very loud and piercing sound. It is invariably accompanied by the traditional double-sided drums "tapani". The most desirable combination is two zurli and two tapani.
It is believed that the zurla was brought in the region from the Middle East, either by the Gypsies or the Turks. Today it is mostly played by the Gypsies.
The zurla repertoire is closely related to traditional dances, which are performed on weddings or holidays.
[edit] Surnay
A surnay (mizmar, lettish horn, surla,sornai zurna, zournas) is a generic name for any of the traditional folk shawms, with origins in ancient Egypt, which has now spread throught the Islamic world, China, and Eastern Europe. As a rule of thumb, a surnay is conical and made of wood.
[edit] Diffusion
The surnay has spread alongside Islam to Algeria, Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and amongst the Kurds. It has even appeared as far as China (Where it is called the suona.) The surnay also spread to Eastern Europe and is used in folk and classic music there, notably in Russian folk music where it is used in sad folk songs. It is often used in the music of Lithuania and Belarus, where bands such as Sutaras and Stary Olsa use them in traditional music. A modern use of a surnay, can be heard in the t.A.T.u. song "Stars".
[edit] Etymology and terminology
Oldest Turkish records suruna in Codex Cumanicus(CCM fol. 45a) < Persian word that is combined of two parts:
- Sur = festival & red
- Nay / Na = Reed / Pipe ". [1].
[edit] Terminology in Anatolia
Turkish and Kurdish terminology [2].
1. Head and reed
- zaynak Ankara
- nazik Abdal
- ula Uludağ
- çatal Çankırı
- zinak Diyarbakır - Kurdish
- nezik Gaziantep
- fasla Kırklareli
- zaynak Kurdish
2. Pipe
- metef Ankara
- metem [Abdal]
- çığırdan Uludağ
- demir Çankırı
- bülbülük Diyarbakır - Kurdish
- kanel Kırklareli
- metef Kurdish
- lüle Sivas
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Picken, Laurence. Folk Music Instruments of Turkey. Oxford University Press. London. p. 485
- ^ Özhan Öztürk. Karadeniz. Istanbul. 2005. pp.1217-18 Article abstract about zurna
[edit] External links
- Davul-Zurna(Yar Diline Diline(Halay))
- Zurna-FAQ This site is trying to answer the typical questions a beginner has about zurna, explains and illustrates key techniques a zurna player must master.
- KabaZurna This site is mostly in Turkish but has pictures from the making, sound clips etc.. which may be useful to non Turkish speakers.
- Zurla
- Struck instruments: Santur
