Oboe; ghayta

Ghaita, oboe. The turned wooden body of conical form, with a stepped fork in the head. Seven finger holes and one anterior thumb hole between first and second finger holes. Seven vent holes in the bell, three in a vertical row along front and two at each side. Lathed grooves decorate the bell beneath the vent holes. The reed, a flattened plant stem, is mounted on the metal staple that is wound with white thread. The disc-shaped horn pirouette has an elliptical central hole and a metal chain attached to the top face. A coin and a reed guard are tied to a thread that is attached to the staple below the pirouette. The brass coin is a fake sovereign dated 1911 and is attached to the thread by a lug that is part of the same casting. With felt bag made from five tapered cloth strips, a round felt disc at the top and draw-string around the bottom.