Welcome to our Armenian duduk workshop.

The duduk is an Armenian wind instrument. Traditionally made of apricot wood, the duduk is a particular type of oboe due to its cylindrical bore. It is played with a large double cane reed and its body is pierced with eight holes above and two below (one for the thumb and the other for the tuning). Its range, finally, is an octave and a third.

Haig Sarikouyoumdjian

Who are we ?

Our manufacturing method is in line with the Armenian tradition.

Born in 1985, Haig Sarikouyoumdjian studied duduk in Armenia with various masters, including Araïk Bartikian (himself a student of Djivan Gasparyan), with whom he learned the technique of duduk.'instrument, with all its shades of timbre, and the traditional repertoire, with all its subtleties (accuracy of intonations, ambiguities and rhythmic multiplicities, work of the'ornament, development of fashions). 

Then he met Gaguik Mouradian, master of the kamancha, with whom he studied the Armenian repertoire in a more general way. Since 2009, he has played under his direction in the'traditional set Gousan. The many concerts at his side allow him to'approach the'spirit of this music. 

At the same time, he collaborated under the direction of Jordi Savall on various projects including Istanbul, Mare Nostrum, the Cathar tragedy and Spirit of'Armenia

Gradually, his research on the timbre of the duduk led him to s'interested in violin making. He then learned to make his own reeds with master Ashot Martirosyan and then studied the'art of filming and'agreement in the MeyerRecorders workshop with the master Ernst Meyer and his two sons, renowned manufacturers of baroque recorders. 

Today'today, he manufactures his own instruments and pursues his research work from a mastery of the entire sound production chain, from lutherie to'interpretation. Finally, he leads a solo career and performs in particular at the Théâtre de la Ville, India, Portugal, Morocco, Switzerland...

The Armenian duduk

Our instruments are made of apricot, boxwood and mozambique ebony (grenadilla) wood. The cutting period and the drying period are important factors to which we pay particular attention. The most played duduks for solo pieces are the A and Bb duduks.

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the reed

Arundo donax is the most used reed in Armenia nowadays. The harvest period is between October and February. The diameter used is between 18.50 and 21.50 mm and the length is between 8.50 and 10.50 cm. Once selected, the reed is partly peeled. The final shape is given either by immersing the reed in near boiling water, or by parboiling it and using rings which will give it its final shape.

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Whether you are an individual or a professional, we are at your disposal to answer your requests.