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The launeddas (also called Sardinian triple clarinet) are a traditional woodwind instrument made of three pipes, each of which has an idioglot single reed. They are a polyphony instrument, with one of the pipes functioning as a drone and the other two playing the melody in thirds and sixths.
Predecessors of the launeddas are found throughout Northern Africa and the Middle East. In 2700 BCE, the reed pipes were originally called "memet"; during the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2778–2723 BCE), memets were depicted on the reliefs of seven tombs at Saqqara, six tombs at Giza, and the pyramids of Khentkaus II.
The Sardinian launeddas themselves are an ancient instrument, being traced back to at least the eighth century BCE,Surian, Alesso. "Tenores and Tarantellas". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pg. 189–201. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. . Surian calls the launeddas very ancient, appearing on votive statues from the 8th century BC. as is testified during the Nuragic civilization by an ithyphallic bronze statuette found in Ittiri. The launeddas are still played today during religious ceremonies and dances ( su ballu in Sardinian language).Surian, pg. 190 Distinctively, they are played using extensive variations on a few melodic phrases, and a single piece can last over an hour, producing some of the "most elemental and resonant (sounds) in European music".
Launeddas consist of three reed pipes, two five-holed chanters of different lengths and one drone. They are played using circular breathing.
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