Nay - An Arabic Flute

The nay is a reed flute played across the Middle East. It is believed to be the most ancient flute still played today in exactly the same form.  Evidence shows it dates back to 3000BC, although it is believed to be used since 5000BC. Today it is used in Arabic folk and classical music. It has a very breathy  texture, due to the reed it is made from, unlike the Western flute which is more metallic in sound.

It is made from a single piece of reed, of the Arundo Donax breed. It has six finger holes at the front and one at the back. There are no keys so the pads of the fingers are placed directly above the open holes. Sound is produced with a unique technique known as bi-labial blowing. The mouth-hole is placed on one side of the mouth, touching both lips, whilst breath is directed diagonally into the opening.

There are three variations of the instument: the Turkish ney, the Persian ney and the Arabic nay. Although the instruments are similar in structure, the style of playing and the music they are used for is different as it developed alongside each music tradition. In Turkish culture the ney holds a strong place in Sufism, and for the Mevlevi Dervishes it is a sacred instrument used in whirling rituals and often appearing symbolically in poetry. Jelaluddin Rumi wrote of the ney:

 Listen to the reed and the tale it tells,

how it sings of separation,

Ever since they cut me from the reed bed

my wail has caused men and women to weep.

You can see photos and hear the nay on: www.myspace.com/kalia7