Shawm facts for kids
The shawm was an old musical instrument. It belonged to the woodwind family. People played it in Europe a long time ago. This was during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance periods. The oboe you might know today grew out of the shawm.
Just like the modern oboe, the shawm used a special part. This part was called a double reed. Players blew into this reed to make sound. The instrument was usually made from one piece of wood. It had a wide, flared end, much like a trumpet. The shawm made a very loud sound. Because of this, people mostly played it outdoors.
What is a Shawm?
The shawm was a popular instrument. It was used for many years in Europe. In the German language, it was called Schalmei or Pommer. The word Schalmei might come from the Latin word calamus. This word means "reed" or "stalk."
Over many centuries, there were different kinds of shawms. They had various names depending on the region. They also came in several different sizes. Some were small, and others were quite large.
Images for kids
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Shepherd playing the shawm (1646), by Jan Baptist Wolffort (Dutch Rijksmuseum)
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Woman playing a bass shawm (Tobias Stimmer c. 1500)
See also
In Spanish: Shawm para niños
