launeddas

In 2700 BCE, the Egyptian reed pipes were originally called "memet"; during the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2778–2723 BCE), memets were depicted on the reliefs of seven tombs at Saqqara, six tombs at Giza, and the pyramids of Queen Khentkaus. The Sardinian launeddas themselves are an ancient instrument, being traced back to at least the eighth century BCE, as is testified during the Nuragic civilization by an ithyphallic bronze statuette found in Ittiri. The launeddas are still played today during religious ceremonies and dances (su ballu in Sardinian language). Distinctively, they are played using extensive variations on a few melodic phrases, and a single piece can last over an hour, producing some of the "most elemental and resonant (sounds) in European music". • Illustration — Closeup of the reeds of the launeddas • Illustration — Laundedas separated for the left and right hands • Illustration — A variety of launeddas • Illustration — A Sardinian man in traditional clothing playing the launeddas • Illustration — Ancient launeddas player from Ittiri

• Name — Launeddas • Background — woodwind • Classification — Single-reed aerophone • Hornbostel Sachs — 422.211.2 • Hornbostel Sachs Desc — single reed instrument with cylindrical bore and fingerholes • Related — Arghul, bülban, clarinet, diplica, dili tuiduk, dozaleh, cifte, mijwiz, pilili, sipsi, triple pipes, zammara, zummara

• Launeddas player Luigi Lai