Raffi Chilingirian
About
Hello, my name is Raffi, and I am a professional duduk musician and instructor from Beirut, Lebanon. I have a diploma in duduk performance from Hamazkayin's Parsegh Ganatchian College of Music.
Since 2017, I have been actively performing on stage in various countries:
April 2018 - performed with the Tekeyan Youth Band in Lebanon.
Dec 2019- performed in the Armenian Arts Festival in Aarau, Switzerland.
May 2020- performed LIVE on MTV Lebanon, with my Armenian Soul Band.
Jul 2021 - recorded with al-Qafila, a German-Arabic musical instituion, in Cyprus.
Aug 2022 - performed with international musicians within Silkroad's Global Musician Workshop at the enchanting Jordan Hall in Boston.
Aug 2023 - participated in the Flying Carpet festival in Mardin, Turkey, with international musicians joining from Australia, India, USA, France, Canada, Kenya, Poland, etc.
In addition to my performance career, I have been teaching duduk privately via Zoom since 2020, helping students from around the world master this beautiful instrument. My teaching method focuses on both traditional Armenian repertoire and modern adaptations, allowing students to develop a strong technical foundation while also exploring their own musical expression.
Teaching Style
My lessons are tailored to each student's level and goals, whether you are a beginner eager to learn the fundamentals or an advanced player looking to refine your technique and expand your repertoire. I emphasize proper breathing techniques, finger positioning, and phrasing to help students achieve the authentic duduk sound.
I also integrate ear training and improvisation, ensuring that students not only play existing pieces but also develop their own musical voice. Lessons are interactive and engaging, with a strong focus on practical exercises and real-time feedback.
Curriculum
I focus on:
- Fundamentals & Technique – Proper embouchure, breathing control, finger positioning, and articulation.
- Sound Production – Developing a stable and rich tone.
- Repertoire & Interpretation – Learning traditional Armenian pieces, folk melodies, and contemporary duduk music.
- Improvisation & Ornamentation – Understanding the expressive ornaments (vibrato, glides, trills) that define the duduk’s soulfulness.
- Reading & Ear Training – Reading duduk notation (if needed) and strengthening the ear for intuitive playing.
- Performance & Expression – Guiding students on emotional expression, and ensemble playing.
While I provide custom lesson materials and exercises, I also use:
- "Armenian Duduk: Complete Method and Repertoire" by Georgy Minasov – A comprehensive guide covering fingering charts, exercises, and traditional pieces.
- Sheet Music for Traditional Armenian Pieces – Such as "Dle Yaman," "Hov Arek," and "Sari Sirun Yar."
- Custom Exercises & Backing Tracks – Developed for improving tone, ornamentation, and improvisation.
Credentials & Affiliations
I have a diploma in duduk performance from Hamazkayin's Parsegh Ganatchian College of Music.
I have been teaching duduk online since 2020, helping students from around the world master this soulful instrument.