INTRODUCTİON

      The “Kaba Zurna” (Common Shrillpipe) that is the largest in dimension among the shrill pipe family that constitutes a part of our wind instruments that have survived through centuries and lived up to the present day, is an instrument made of wood. It has come from the days of the ancient Sumerians until this day and was named Zurr by the Kalmuk’s. Later on the Azeri named it “Sorna (sorna)”. In reality its name comes from the Pharisi word “Sernay”.

      Although it has been found out that the Common Shrillpipe has been used in various fields, it is known that it was the dominant and fundamental instrument of the band. One can play the whole of the music with this instrument. Its sound is colorful, lively, pastoral, imposing, sentimental, mobile. The common shrillpipe’s tone is the tone that is most suitable to play the highest octaves in turkish music. It is a folk music listening to in the royal band and in the music recitals given by the musicians of the royal palace. The common shrillpipe is an ideal instrument to be played in open air.

      Nowadays the use of the common shrillpipe is by far more restricted as compared with the days of the past. but still it is a musical instrument that attracts an impressive number of listeners whenever it is played. Outside of official Authorities (the ministry of Culture, the Grand National Assembly Band Section) the utilization of the common shrillpipe is reserved to folk dancing recitals and competitions. In the Aegean “Zeybek” and the “Karşılama-Welcoming” from Thrace the common shrillpipe is used and was taught by master to apprentice and so was able to survive until today.

      The players of the common shrillpipe were really excellent players, but did not do much to develop their instrument from the technical angle. Since there is no standardized manufacturing system, each common shrillpipe is formed by its maker. When these common shrillpipes manufactured in a haphazard way are brought together difficulties arise in reaching a smooth intonation. There are differences in the measurements of two common shrill pipes manufactured by the same craftsman. since the reed widens (as it gets wet) as the shrillpipe is played, it gets better as it gets older, its sound mellows as it is oiled, but the sharp and flat notes are not heared clearly and distinctly. This is due to the technical deficiencies in the manufacture of the common shrillpipe.

      A number of difficulties are encountered when performing on the common shrillpipe that result because of the technical shortcomings in its manufacture. The fact that each shrillpipe is different in its dimensions gives rise to differences in its tonality.

      An error made in the sizing of the main holes makes the pitch drift making the shrillpipe unusable. What is more there is no certain size for the reed and the pipe of the shrillpipe, therefore those parts must be made by the player of the shrillpipe difficult. In short the person who plays the common shrillpipe must have some knowledge as regards the sizes and manner of manufacture of this instrument. That is why the common shrllpipe has reached our days in the form and character known by our forefathers and fathers, without any technical development of note taking place in its manufacture and the way in which it is played.

      Due to the fact that no standards have been brought either to its manner of manufacture or to its style of performing difficulties are being encountered in its being taught as a musical instrument in our conservatories and cannot reach the level desired.

      The Common Shrillpipe that occupies an important place among turkish folk music instruments, but still we lack a detailed study about it. We cannot deny that a wide scoped research about the Common Shrillpipe is needed.

      Another important issue that has to be taken up promptly is the fact that the knowledge presented up to here is only the foundation of learning to play the shrillpipe. If we take into consideration that it takes much effort and study to learn the shrillpipe well we will understand that this study is not the end but only the beginning.

      Higher degree of study to be prepared in the light of the data contained in this study will provide to have us place on a more compact base the technique of teaching the shrillpipe.