“Cane is the important part of duduk…Playing perfectly depends on it”

Culture 15:12 11/03/2010

“Cane is the important part of duduk…Playing perfectly depends on it”

“To play perfectly the musical instrument much depends on the cane. If the cane isn’t a good one, neither professional master can play well,” Arman Stepanyan, master of making duduk (Armenian national instrument) canes ensured in his talk to Panorama.am.

How did you start your job of making canes?

I am a duduk player. I graduated from musical college after R. Meliqyan. It’s a hard job to play duduk. I used to by the cane and make it, and then I decided to make the cane unless I manage better playing. It’s already three years I’m making cane for duduk.

Who are your clients? Do you have orders?
Sure I have. I make about 150 and more canes within a month. If I have orders from abroad, I make even more; they aren’t masters of this job. But if I make them for our local masters, I’m more careful. I make canes for Jivan Gasparyan, Gevorg Dabaghyan, vahan Harutyunyan, Kamo Seyranyan, Kamo Hovhannisyan, Emanuel Hovhannisyan.

Does the cane have great role in duduk’s resonance?

Yes, it does. The cane is the most important part of the instrument. It’s possible to use a duduk for 25 years, but the cane is often changed; it depends on the musician. The duduk players often tell me that their success depends on me: “If you don’t give a good cane, we won’t be able to play perfectly while on the stage.” Playing good depends on cane. If it’s not a good one neither master can play well. The sounds and timbre depend on cane.

Where do you get canes and how much does it cost?
We have canes in Armenia also, but the perfect ones are grown in Artsakh. One cane costs 5000AMD.

Today more people play duduk. What do you think what’s the reason of it?
When I was studying in the college few people played duduk. But recently I noticed that a group in the college consists of 30 students. I think they are inspired by Jivan Gasparyan, who has world wide fame. Maybe those young musicians also want to play in different parts of the world, to introduce Armenian national musical instrument to the world. But they should work hard to reach such professionalism.

Do you cooperate with any cane maker from abroad?
Recently I got acquainted with a cane maker from Turkey via Youtube. His name is Ali. I found his address and called him. Neither of us understood anything. I said to him Armenia, Jivan Gasparyan, duduk, cane and started playing. Then my call was interrupted he called me back and started playing from there. We are in friendly ties now. I communicate with him due to an interpreter. Ali wants to travel to Armenia, but I’m going to pay him visit in 20 days, then I’ll invite him to our country also. I wander how a Turk makes canes for duduk.

Do you find any differences between his and your music.
I play a different timbre, and he – in another. And this depends on our national cultural understanding.

Do you agree with the point that duduk has become Armenian “symbol” in the world?
Surely. Both duduk and Masis. When I look at duduk I see the path Armenians have passed.

Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

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