The Mouthpiece of the Aulos Revisited

What is it about?

The aulos was the most important wind instrument of Classical Antiquity. It consisted of two reedpipes played simultaneously - but it is still disputed whether these were equipped with single or double reeds. A definitive answer to this question however has the greatest consequences for the nature of aulos music regarding not only its timbre, but more importantly control of dynamics, phrasing, and small pitch adjustments. From a survey of ancient texts, images, and archaeological evidence, it emerges that the instruments of urban culture were universally equipped with double reeds. Single reeds were known as well, but are almost completely eclipsed in our sources.

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