Original George Minasov Armenian Duduk

Features

• A world-class A (la) professional Armenian duduk
• Carved from the very middle part of the apricot log
• The tonewoods are checked every monthly, to the point that they dry to perfection
• Tuning isn’t a question. Your duduk will be tested for a 100% absolute correct tuning, paired with the attached reed.
• Signed by master Minasov.

What’s included?

• 1 soft case
• 1 hard reed. Please note that Master Minasov’s produces only hard reeds. This is great if you are looking for a long-lasting reed, that produces the best possible sound.

Ships from Armenia Takes 7-10 to be ready for shipping

The mesmerizing sound of Misanov’s duduk

Who is Georgy Minasov?

George Minasov, born in July 18, 1933 also known as Georgy Minasyan. Minasov has a rather interesting life story. Instead of learning the Duduk in Armenia, he preferred to go to Baku (Azerbaijan). At that time, Armenians where bustling in the streets. It was exciting times, where the two countries had open borders. Musicians wondered from place to place, inspiring and exploring each other’s music. Having arrived in Baku, Minasov has quickly raised as a local star. He graduated from Baku Musical College and his musical carrier was launched with frequent concerts with the Folk Instruments Orchestra of Azerbaijan State Radio. As Minasov’s skills got better fast, his interest in the instrument became a real source of occupation for him. He had explored every hole, position and posture one can actually play. A short intro: the duduk has 1 octave in total, while some musicians can push it to play 1-2 tones more. For Minasov, this limitation was not an impassable wall, but a call for a challenge. Within a few years of research, he has made the first 2-octave Armenian duduk. It is patented in Armenia, patent number #1165. The invention is based on the idea of levers, just like can be found in a Clarinet. The clever use of levers, allowed Minasov’s duduk, to reach 2 octaves. This breakthrough made many musicians speechless, as it has set a completely new approach to playing the Duduk. Jazz & classical musicians are often using his instruments, because it’s the ability to play a wide range of tones.

Georgy Minasov musical career

Georgy Minasyan has performed literally everywhere. His international career span is across continents. Eastern Europe, Middle East, Russia, and North America. He played with artists like Isabel Bayrakdaryan, Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, Sweets Edison, Ron Carter and more. Moreover, Minasov has trained four very important students, who are now teachers for Duduk and Armenian music. His students are faithful in the style of playing, and use his instruments to perform their music. You might hear of them: Arak Astaryan, Georgy Minasyan Junior, Tigran Avetisyan & Armen Matosyan.

Why Minasov’s Duduks are so highly desired?

When crafting a duduk, it’s important to start with the best raw material. Being said that, it is only a meticulous master like Minasov, a fanatic devotee, that would literally research for days for the best possible apricot wood. Every log is then dried to perfection. The same goes for his search for strong and stable canes for the reeds. Master Minasov tunes every duduk himself, through a process that a couple of rounds to complete. Once a duduk is a finish, he would match a specific reed. Later, he will check 3-4 times during a period of time to see that the reed keeps in tune with that very specific duduk. Minasov’s customers are musicians with very refined taste. If it’s less than perfect, he won’t sell it. Having a duduk made by a master player who plays for over 60 years, is a different standard of experience for the serious musician. Paired with a professional-grade reed Minasov’s duduks play the same soothing and velvet sound familiar to all duduk lover’s around the globe.