| Mijwiz, Arabic for "dual",
is a double-pipe, single-reed instrument (sometimes referred to as a
"double-clarinet") popular in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. It is
predominantely used to accompany the dabkah, or line dance, at weddings and other
festive celebrations. The mijwiz is one of the oldest wind instruments, with
counterparts in antiquity. Comparable instruments in Egypt are the zummârah and
the arghűl, which uses one of the two pipes as a drone.
The mijwiz consists of two identical cylindrical cane pipes
bound together with a tar or beeswax coated string. Each pipe is fitted with a single
idioglot vibrating reed. The instrument is played continuously (without stopping) through
a technique known as "circular breathing", with the entire mouthpiece inside the
mouth. It has five to six holes, a range just under an octave and considerable radiating
power. The pipes are traditionally played in unison.
In folk communities of the Near East, the nasal sound of the mijwiz
has distinct rustic connotations and an almost magical effect upon the listeners.
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