Playing multi-pipe whistles of Northeastern Europe: phenomenon of collective musical performance

ENComparative analysis of both the construction and ways of performing of Lithuanian, Komi and Russian multi-pipe whistles reveals not only the difference existing between then but their similarities as well. The most important principle unifying these musical instruments is that the unattached pipes are used exclusively in sets and played only collectively. The number of both pipes and the performers is alike. The distribution of Lithuanian set with respect to performing polyphonic saturnites may be related to dividing the instruments into the so-called “pairs” by the Komis and Russians. Keywords: folk music; musical instruments; multi-pipe whistles; musical performance.