Air Studies
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A Small Study on Air and Sound
How does air sound when it interacts with a reed? What sounds emerge in the space surrounding the instrument? Where does sound end and noise begin? How do we decide which vibrations count as sound and which as noise?
We treat structured, meaningful patterns as sound, while random or unwanted disturbances register as noise—a distinction shaped by both our auditory processing and the cultural norms that teach us what to listen for.
Immerse yourself in the delicate soundscapes that emerge as air gently breathes through the reeds.
Hümmelchen / Dudey
The Hümmelchen is a type of bagpipe that first appeared during the Renaissance and was documented by Michael Praetorius in Syntagma Musicum. The name Hümmelchen refers to the instrument when it has two drones, while versions with three or more drones are known as Dudey.
This recording features a two-drone Hümmelchen crafted by Jürgen Ross, enhanced with chanter and drone on/off switches designed by Christian Dreier and Knut Schneider.
