State Museum of Georgian Folk Songs and Instruments

Marlen Egutia plays a reedless salamuri

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State Museum of Georgian Folk Songs and Instruments

The flute-like Salamuri belongs to the family of Georgian wind instruments. Salamuris can be both reeded and unreeded, and although they differ in timbre, form, sound range and resonance, both are played by blowing into a mouthpiece.

Usually made of reed, sambuca or apricot wood, the salamuri is the most widespread folk instrument in Georgia, and is considered indispensible to shepherds. Consequently, the salamuri is primarily played by men, and is usually accompanied by a doli and/or panduri.

The salamuri is played with both hands. The musician touches the upper holes with right hand fingers and the lower part with left hand fingers. The right thumb touches that hole in the back of the instrument. Professional Salamuri players say that there is a difference between techniques of performance on these instruments: the reeded Salamuri is more difficult to play than the unreeded one. However, one can play any melody he/she wants on reeded Salamuri. The technical abilities of unreeded Salamuri are limited.