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| Classification | Double reed |
|---|---|
| Related instruments | |
Thesornā orsornāy (Persian:سُرنای، سُرنا, alsoسورنای، سورناsurnā,surnāy and alsoZurna) is an ancientIranian woodwind instrument.
The word was most likely borrowed from an unknownIndo-European cognate ofLuwian𒍪𒌨𒉌 (zurni, “horn”),Sanskritशृङ्ग (ṡṛṅga, “horn”),Latincornū, andEnglishhorn, probably ultimately fromProto-Indo-European*ḱerh₂-. A folk etymology explains that the wordsorna is aPahlavi derivative ofsūrnāy (literally "strong flute"), which is a compand of 'sūr-' (strong) and '-nāy' (flute).[1] According to such folk etymology, it was called "strong flute" due to its double-reed-construction rather than usualnāy (Persian:نای), which was made of a single tube of cane, while another folk etymology believes that the first part of word ofsorna, is fromsūr- again from Pahlavi andNew-Persian, meaning the "banquet, meal and feast", thus the "banquet-flute".[1]
"Sorna", being a cognate of "Horn", can simply mean horn. This is a result of theCentum-Satem isogloss, and laterGrimm's Law. Even in Persian there is another wind instrument whose name appears to be a cognate of both "Sorna" and "Horn", called "Karnā(y)" (کرنای/کرنا); this may stem from a re-borrowing from another language.
The instrument's history dates back to theAchaemenid Dynasty (550–330 BCE), and was used to play at the end of the day from the city gate or from the local administration building. This custom persisted inEngland until the 19th century, thetown waits playingshawms to mark the hours. The instrument was mainly played in outdoors in regional music ofIran in the festive ceremonies (the Persian poetMolana Rumi mentioned the sorna and dohol in his poems).
The Achaemenid sorna was a large trumpet-like instrument, but in later dates was reduced in size, and became more like (shrill oboe), ordozale (double oboe), which is characterized by a turned wood body of simple shape, with a heavily flared bell. The earlier was categorized as atrumpet, but this was a mistaken idea based on the bell of the oboe and the freeblowing embouchure that often gives a superficial resemblance to abrass embouchure, particularly if the oboe is fitted as so many are with a lip ring.[2]
According to theShahnameh, it was KingJamshid who devised the Sornā.[3] Except the literary evidences, there are also number of artefacts fromSasanian dynasty (224–651 CE), depicting Sorna, such a silver dish, currently inHermitage Museum.[4]
A small amount of air is forced under pressure through a small metal tube called the staple which serves to hold the reed and match it to the bore. This requires the player to make sure, as in oboe playing, that one also empties the lungs of stale air when taking a new breath.
Often sornas were played in pairs, with a melody and a drone player. This drone may move to different notes during a piece of music, changing at prescribed places in the composition.
Several other names, such asdohol,davul,tavel, and so on have been applied to thesorna. Sincedohol is a double-faced drum sometimes it is calleddo-rūyeh in Persian language, in contrast toghaval anddaf, which areyek-rūyeh (one-faced).
The Sorna is mostly played inLoristan,Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari,Kurdistan,Sistan and Baluchestan Province andIranian Azerbaijan.
In Loristan, Sorna is used as a main instrument during wedding ceremonies and also funeral ceremonies (which is called Chamaryounah). Sorna almost always is accompanied withdohol in this region.
InBalochistan It mostly performed by forming a circle by a group of people, dancing and clapping.Do-Chapi almost always includes Sorna and Dohol.[5][6]In the region ofSistan and Baluchestan, sorna is mostly used in wedding ceremonies and other celebration. The instrument is always accompanied by dohol and sometimes may include traditional dance by forming a circle.