Talk:Shawm

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[edit] New text

Much of the new text, while very good, is almost exactly duplicative of previously existing text. Perhaps the two could be reconciled, preserving the best parts of each version. Badagnani 09:56, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Which period is it from?

i thought that it was a medieval period instrument --—Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.206.93.94 (talk • contribs)

It originated in the Medieval period and was used in the Renaissance as well. Badagnani 03:01, 28 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Volume

Removal of the shawm's loud sound is very wrong. That is one of the defining characteristics of this instrument (which I play). Badagnani 22:49, 24 March 2007 (UTC)

Hi there. I'm trying to think of a way to convey that information that is less subjective than just "loud". Maybe a comparison would work. Is it louder than the modern oboe? As loud as a modern trumpet? MarkBuckles (talk) 01:06, 26 March 2007 (UTC)

Also, since you play the shawm, maybe you'd be willing to make a recording and release it to public domain? I'm sure that would be a great help to the article and convey more information about the sound than any words could. MarkBuckles (talk) 01:07, 26 March 2007 (UTC)

These days I don't have access to one, though I have a lot of Asian shawm-type instruments. The shawm was part of the family of Medieval and Renaissance instruments used for outdoor use in royal courts, military and town bands, along with trumpets and sackbuts. Its conical bore and construction gives it a piercing trumpet-like sound that is reminiscent of the zurna it most likely evolved from. Badagnani 02:39, 26 March 2007 (UTC)

Okay, see what you think of that the lede now. I think the reference to the bore (comparible to the oboe) help us put the quality of the sound in context, rather than just calling it "loud". Thoughts? MarkBuckles (talk) 04:18, 28 March 2007 (UTC)