Topic started by :) (@ d150-184-242.home.cgocable.net) on Sat Nov 1 09:16:07 EST 2003.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

What is the difference between a nadhaswaram and a clarinet?

Responses:

• From: :) (@ d150-184-242.home.cgocable.net) on: Fri Nov 28 13:05:59
  
  Any responses?
  
  
• From: Nadaswaram (@ cache-mtc-am01.proxy.aol.com) on: Fri Nov 28 15:01:55 EST 2003
  
  nadaswaram is very loud, and is found in South India (Tamil Nadu & Kerala mostly).
  Plus I believe clarinet has buttons to push? Plus nadaswaram is long.
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-1121d55.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Fri Nov 28 16:05:57 EST 2003
  
  The Nagaswaram (often referred to as Nadaswaram owing to its rich tone), belongs to the wood-wind family. It is known as a Mangala Vadya ('mangala' means auspicious and 'vadya' means instrument), since it is played in temples, processions and other auspicious occasions like festivals and marriages. The Nagaswaram ensemble is known as the Periya melam and generally consists of a lead Nagaswaram player, the Ottu or drone, the Tavil player and a tala-keeper with a pair of bronze cymbals known as Jaalra.
  
  
  Types: There are two varieties of Nagaswaram:
  
  Timiri, which is shorter (usually about one and a half feet) and higher in pitch.
  
  Bari, which is longer (two or two and a half feet) and lower in pitch.
  
  Construction: The Nagaswaram is a double reed instrument with a conical bore that gradually enlarges towards the lower end. It is usually made of a type of seasoned ebony, although there are Nagaswarams made of sandalwood, redwood, silver, gold, etc. The top portion consists of a metal staple (called mel anaichu) and into this is inserted a small metallic cylinder called kendai. The kendai carries the mouthpiece, seevali, which is made of reed. Along with spare reeds, a small needle, known as kuchchi, made of ivory or horn, is attached to the Nagaswaram. The needle is used to clear the mouth-hole of saliva particles and allow air to pass through. The bottom is decorated with a metallic bell called the keezh anaichu.
  
  
  
  
  Tuning: The standard Nagaswaram, Bari, which is commonly used today is usually set between 2 and 3 (D and E).
  
  Playing technique: The Nagaswaram has seven finger-holes. There are 5 additional holes drilled at the bottom, which are used as controllers. Like the flute, the Nagaswaram has a range of two and a half octaves and the fingering techniques are similar. While in the flute, semi and quarter notes are produced by the partial opening and closing of the finger-holes, in the Nagaswaram, they are produced by varying the power of air blown into the pipe. This makes it a very strenuous instrument to play.
  
  
  Technical aspects:
  
  Clarinet is based on the button-system. It has 13 keys, one key for each note. Gamakas and other nuances are difficult to produce; specially, traversing a note covered by the fingers of one hand to the other hand without a break will be possible only after strenuous practice.
  
  Nadaswaram, on the other hand, is natural to our music and all the gamakas etc can be produced on it.
  
  
• From: Nick H (UK) (@ mridangam.demon.co.uk) on: Fri Nov 28 19:21:40 EST 2003
  
  Meena,
  
  What a wonderfuly informative post: thank you!
  
  One thing I don't understand. You speak of '5 additional holes drilled at the bottom, which are used as controllers'. Could you explain more about this, please?
  
  
• From: Nick H (UK) (@ mridangam.demon.co.uk) on: Fri Nov 28 19:24:29 EST 2003
  
  Another differance, not covered by anyone else yet, I don' think...
  
  The clarinet is a single reed instrument, the nadaswaram is a double reed instrument.
  
  The closest Western instrument is the oboe family; the clarinet is not near at all.
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-vcaulbn.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Fri Nov 28 20:54:44 EST 2003
  
  Hello nick H,
  since i do NOT play the the instrument, sorry. The info i got was the 5 holes are used as controllers!
  
  
  
  
• From: :) (@ d150-45-15.home.cgocable.net) on: Sat Dec 6 13:06:08 EST 2003
  
  Nick,
  According to the foll. article the 5 holes are used for pitch adjustment
  
  QUOTE
  Nagaswaram is a double-reeded instrument with a conical bore that flares out towards the bottom end. It usually consists of twelve holes of which the upper seven are used for playing. Wax is applied on the other holes (brahma swaram) to regulate the pitch. The reed is fixed on a metal staple and mounted on the top END QUOTE
  http://www.webindia123.com/music/instru/nagas.htm
  
  
• From: Nick H (UK) (@ mridangam.demon.co.uk) on: Sun Dec 7 08:00:47 EST 2003
  
  Thank you, :) , that is clear now. Thanks Meena for your original information.
  
  

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