Birbynė

Traditionally birbynė is made from goose quill, straw, bark, wood and animal horn. Birbynė could be single- or double-reed; usually tuned in major mode. Repertoire includes various sound imitations, shepherd signals, songs, sutartinės and dances. First time birbynė was mentioned in P.Ruigys’ writings (1747).

                      The ensemble’s orchestra involves three types of upgraded birbynės: soprano, tenor and contrabass. They all consist of body, sliding mouthpiece and horn, have ten (contrabass – nine) sound and one harmonics’ holes. A reed is attached to a mouthpiece. Soprano birbynė’s diapason is a – e³, chromatic row is obtained by natural and combined fingering. Its low register has soft and rich timbre reminiscent of saxophone, its middle register that of oboe, and its high – of clarinet. Tenor birbynė is longer and somewhat thicker; diapason H – d². Its timbre is rich and warm, reminiscent of cello. Contrabass birbynė’s body is made from brass tin, which is painted in colour of wood. Its mouthpiece is bevelled; its lower end is fitted with horn imitation. Its diapason is Fis₁ – dis¹ and timbre reminds contrabassoon.

                      Soprano birbynė is the orchestra’s main melodical instrument; soprano birbynė group embodies the core of the orchestra. Occasionally, ensemble’s programmes feature birbynė quintet; more often birbynė is introduced as a solo instrument.