Sorna

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The sornā or Sarnā (Persian سورنا, سُرنا sornā, also سورنای, سُرنای sornāy, also Surna and Zurna) is an ancient Iranian woodwind instrument.

Contents 1 Etymology 2 Historical background 3 Function 4 See slso 5 References

[edit] Etymology

The word sorna is a Pahlavi derivative of sūrnāy (literally "strong flute"), which is a compand of 'sūr-' (strong) and '-nāy' (flute).^[1] Possibly it was called "strong flute" due to its double-reed-construction rather than usual nāy, which was made of a single tube of cane. Also it is suggested that the first part of word of sorna, is from sūr- again from Pahlavi and New-Persian, meaning the "banquet, meal and feast", thus the "banquet-flute".^[2]

[edit] Historical background

The instrument's history dates back to the Achaemenid Dynasty (550-330 B.C.E.), and was used to play at the end of the day from the city gate or from the local administration building. This custom persisted in England until the 19th century, the town waits playing shawms to mark the hours. The instrument was mainly played in outdoors in regional music of Iran in the festive ceremonies (the famous Persian poet Molana Rumi has mentioned the sorna and dohol in his poems).

The Achaemenid sorna was a large trumpet-like instrument, but in later dates was reduced in size, and became more like (shrill oboe), or dozale (double oboe), which is characterized by a turned wood body of simple shape, with a heavily flared bell. The earlier was categorized as a trumpet, but this was a mistaken idea based on the bell of the oboe and the freeblowing embouchure that often gives a superficial resemblance to a brass embouchure, particularly if the oboe is fitted as so many are with a lip ring.^[3]

According to the Shahnameh, it was King Jamshid who devised the Sornā.^[4] Except the literary evidences, there are also number of artefacts from Sasanian dynasty (224-651 CE), depicting Sorna, such a silver dish, currently in Hermitage Museum.^[5]

[edit] Function

A small amount of air is forced under pressure through a small metal tube called the staple which serves to hold the reed and match it to the bore. This requires the player to make sure, as in oboe playing, that one also empties the lungs of stale air when taking a new breath.

Often sornas were played in pairs, with a melody and a drone player. This drone may move to different notes during a piece of music, changing at prescribed places in the composition.

Several other names, such as dohol, davul, tavel, and so on have been applied to the sorna. Since dohol is a double-faced drum sometimes it is called do-rūyeh in Persian language, in contrast to ghaval and daf, which are yek-rūyeh (one-faced).

There are several Persian proverbs about the sorna. The most famous proverb that many poets have been used in their works is: "آواز دهل شنیدن از دور خوش است" (Āvāz-e-dohol shenidan az dur khosh ast)", which literally means "Sorna/Dohol sounds pleasant from a distance".

[edit] See slso

• Zurna

[edit] References

Iranian Musical Instruments
String Instruments (Sāzhāy-e Zehī)
Bowed instruments:	Ghazhak | Kamāncheh | Robāb
Plucked instruments:	Barbat | Chang | Dotār | Qānūn | Robāb | Sallāneh | Sāz | Setār | Tanbūr | Tār | Ūd
Struck instruments:	Santur
Woodwind instruments (Sāzhāy-e Bādī):
Exposed:	Darāy | Sornā | Karnay
End-blown:	Haft Band | Nāy (Ney) | Sheypur
Percussion instrument (Sāzhāy-e Kūbeheyī/Zarbī)
Auxiliary Percussion:	Daf | Dohol | Dāvūl | Dāyereh Zangī | Naqāreh | Tonbak (Dombak) | Kūs | Sanj