Duduk
The body of this wind instrument is slender and slightly longer than a handspan, and musicians agree that it should properly be carved from a hard wood such as apricot. The mouth features an unusually wide double-reed, and it requires great skill to master the specialized breathing technique that produces the instrument's distinctive sound -- which is often described as being as sweet and as powerful as the short lives of the Humans from whom it originated -- said to evoke feelings of wistful melancholy as easily as it does those of profound joy or sorrow. Older duduks are quite simple in design and were often left entirely undecorated save for the choice of stain (if any). More modern versions display decoration generally centered upon the upper portion of the mouth piece, which is often shaped into fanciful or metaphorically pleasing abstract forms such as tiered droplets, though intricate carving and inlay upon the body can at times be seen as well.
Originally created by Human soldiers as a simple way to pass the time while marching or resting on campaign during the Resistance War, the duduk has since evolved considerably. It quickly spread throughout the mainland, carried wherever a Human mercenary or soldier could be found, and, as the design and play styles matured, became a beacon of beauty even amongst the horrors of war. Today, the duduk is an instrument of comfort, inspiration and profound emotional weight in the hands of an experienced player.
Variations
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