The csakan (or czakan) is a type of

woodwind instrument Woodwind instruments are a family of musical instruments within the greater category of wind instruments. Common examples include flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone. There are two main types of woodwind instruments: flutes and ...

that was popular in

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

in the early 19th century. A type of

duct flute The term fipple specifies a variety of end-blown flute that includes the flageolet, recorder, and tin whistle. The Hornbostel–Sachs system for classifying musical instruments places this group under the heading "Flutes with duct or duct flu ...

, the csakan was originally crafted in the shape of a

walking stick A walking stick or walking cane is a device used primarily to aid walking, provide postural stability or support, or assist in maintaining a good posture. Some designs also serve as a fashion accessory, or are used for self-defense. Walking s ...

with a

mouthpiece Mouthpiece may refer to: * The part of an object which comes near or in contact with one's mouth or nose during use ** Mouthpiece (smoking pipe) or cigarette holder ** Mouthpiece (telephone handset) ** Mouthpiece (woodwind), a component of a woodw ...

in the handle, reflecting the design of similar shepherds' flutes from

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and

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. From the 1820s, a new design appeared, which was in the shape of an

oboe The oboe ( ) is a type of double reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites. The most common oboe plays in the treble or soprano range. ...

. According to concert announcements from 1810, Anton Heberle was the inventor of the instrument. He was also the first to perform publicly on it, at a concert in

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on 18 February 1807. Later that year, he also published the first music for the instrument, ''Scala für den Ungarischen Csakan''. After the appearance of this ''Scala'', around 400 more works for the csakan were published, including solos, duets, and pieces with piano or guitar accompaniment. Besides Heberle, the most prominent csakan performer was , who appeared frequently in concerts in Vienna from the 1820s. The czakan is a

transposing instrument A transposing instrument is a musical instrument for which music notation is not written at concert pitch (concert pitch is the pitch on a non-transposing instrument such as the piano). For example, playing a written middle C on a transposing ...

in A-flat. Modern manufacturers refer to it as "the Romantic recorder".

References

Fipple flutes {{Recorder-stub