Bombard (musical instrument)

Typical bombard in B flat

The bombard, also known as talabard in the Breton language, is a popular contemporary double reed instrument widely used to play traditional Breton music.

The bombard is a member of the oboe family. Describing it as an oboe, however, can be misleading since it has a very powerful sound, at a level not far from a trumpet's one. But the sound of a bombard is more high-pitched. The bombard is played as oboes are played, with the double reed placed between the lips; the upper octave is achieved with increased lip pressure. Bombards in their most traditional setting are accompanied by a bagpipe called a biniou kozh ("ancient bagpipe"), which plays an octave above the bombard. The two players are referred to as sonerion (in Breton) or sonneurs de couple (in French : "duet players"). The bombard player is also known as a talabarder. The biniou plays the melody continuously, while the bombard takes breaks, establishing a call-and-response pattern.

Revival in the bagadoù

In the late '40s, the creation of bagad, an ensemble of bagpipes, bombards and drums, offers a new life to the bombard. Now most of the towns in Brittany have one or several bagadoù, and they compete each other continually in a series of annual tournaments and festivals. As the bagad is a transposition in Brittany of the pipe band's concept, the music played was first military-oriented. Now the bagadoù play dancing music as well as traditional melodies or new compositions. The large number of bombard players in bagadoù is a key factor of success in the revival of the bombard.

Still evolving

The bombard is an instrument that has been in constant evolution, with many different keys developed as well as sophisticated silver key-work enabling chromatic possibilities. Milder versions in lower ranges such as the lombarde (also called Youenn le Bihan's 'piston') have been developed for use in mixed ensembles. Although the mere population of talabarder plays for pleasure, a class of professional musicians and instrument makers has emerged, as well as standardized reeds and commonly available tutorial materials. Today, both the biniou and bombard are played in combination with an unlimited number of instruments (voice, saxophone, piano, organ, treujenn gaol (a kind of clarinet), fiddle, flutes, guitar, percussion…) in fest-noz (large Breton céilidh), rock groups and ensembles of all styles - in arrangements of traditional Breton dance tunes and airs or in new compositions.

View an image of the bombard here