Launeddas

Launeddas are the most ancient music instrument of the world, as a number of archaelogical findings date back even to the Nuraghic Age.
They are made of paludal canes cut when the moon is full in February and seasoned for at least three years.
The instrument consists of three canes: the bass, su tumbu, is the longest cane and it usually has three sections. It plays a unique bass tone and has no holes.
The second cane, sa mancosa manna, shorter than the others, provides the backing and and in two parts it is tied to the bass with a tarred rope, sa crobaIt is to be played with the left hand pressing the thumb on the part below to keep the weight and it has five rectangular holes. The third cane, sa mancosedda, shorter than the others, is free and plays the melody.

Three reeds are inserted in the three canes, is cabitzinas, which produce the sound. Some holes are carved at prefixed distances on the second and third cane in order to produce music.
The instrument is to be tuned using beeswax: it is put on the reed and and the quantity determines the intensity of the sound. Unfortunately, or luckily, it takes more than a couple of days to become launeddas players: sometimes it may take up to months.
Tenacity and passion for this instrument are strongly required to have the privilege of becoming players of this charming instrument.
The secrets regarding the making of this instrument are jealously kept by few makers and the players too are unwilling to reveal the art they master.
The main types of launeddas are, il punto d’organo, il fiorassio, la mediana, lo spinellu, la fiuda.