- Catalan shawm
In music, a Catalan shawm is one of two varieties of
shawm (anoboe -likewoodwind instrument) played inCatalonia in northeastern Spain.Region, types, and uses
The types of shawm commonly used in Catalonia are the tible (Catalan for "treble") and the tenora (Catalan for "tenor"). The tenora is pitched about a fifth lower than the tible. These shawms are usually used with other instruments to accompany the traditional Catalan circle dance, the
Sardana . Other folk music shawms aretarota and gralla.Difference between shawms and oboes
There are several distinct differences between shawms and
oboe s. Shawms normally have a larger bore, which makes them louder and more suitable than the oboe for outdoor playing. In addition, the bore is more "sword-shaped" than that of the oboe (it is more like a narrow parabola than a perfect cone). This gives the shawm a stronger, earthier, more fiery tone. Though favored in ancient times, some today find the sound harsh and irritating. The difference in bore shape also gives shawms additional problems with intonation. It was the goals of easier fingering, better intonation, and a sound and volume level more suitable for indoor use that prompted the innovations that turned the shawm into the oboe. The tible and tenora, however, were modernized without giving up their place in bands and at festivals, and they retained the basic shawm characteristics. One unique characteristic of shawms is that, unlike oboes, they are made of one solid piece of wood. also, the wide, flaring bell is often rimmed with metal (or at least used to be in Europe). This made the shawms very durable. In fact, Medieval musicians would even use them as weapons if brawls broke out.Fact|date=October 2007Catalan shawms and other types of shawms
There are many shawms throughout the world (many of them in the Middle East and Asia) but Catalonia is one of the few places in Europe where they are still frequently used, and the only place where they have been given a modern mechanism (keywork) like orchestral woodwind instruments. Shawms used to be widespread in Europe up into the
Renaissance . The were chiefly of two types: shawms that evolved from bagpipe chanters, and shawms that evolved from Middle Eastern instruments. The Italian "ciaramella " is an example of the former, and the tible and tenora of the latter. The oboe features aspects of both designs.Revival efforts
It has been reported that efforts are being made to fix the intonation and playing problems with the Catalan shawms. It is hoped that they can rise from their obscurity as folk instruments. Information on this project is limited to a single source at this time. The recent reference was a magazine article written in Catalan. The research was being conducted at a university in
Barcelona .Unreferencedsection|date=September 2007ource and additional information
* "Woodwind Instruments and Their History" by
Anthony Baines .External links
* [http://usuarios.lycos.es/sdiago/tibleweb.htm Tibleweb] -- Tible web site (in Catalan)
* [http://www.coblasabadell.com/index2_archivos/eltible.htm El Tible] (in Catalan)Video
* [http://www.sai-national.org/phil/composers/dharris.html Video of Catalan shawm band]
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