Araïk Bartikian

Duduk is the musical tradition centered on the Armenian double‑reed woodwind of the same name, carved from apricot wood and known for its warm, breathy, and mournful tone. In performance, a lead duduk plays the melody while a second duduk sustains a continuous drone (called the dam), creating a floating, modal soundscape. Its repertoire ranges from laments and lyrical songs to dance tunes and free, improvisatory preludes. The sound has become emblematic of Armenian identity, yet it also resonates across West Asia and, in recent decades, global film and ambient music for its evocative, melancholic color.