The Arabic ney flute is probably as old as the Egyptian pyramids, and you won’t believe how widely it is still used!
Rumi describes the importance of the Arabic flute in Middle Eastern Culture and Sufism by saying, “Listen to the ney, how it complains and tells the tales of separation pains.”
The ney is a simple, long, and Arabic flute that is one of the oldest musical instruments and the main wind instrument of the Arabic and Middle Eastern music industry. It has been around for 5000 years!
This blog will thoroughly explain how this ancient end-blown flute works, the main differences between Arabic ney flute, Turkish neys, and Egyptian neys, and many more fascinating facts.
An Overview of Ney
An Arabic Ney Flute is a culturally and historically rich, ancient musical instrument that is traditionally a hollow cane with usually five or six finger holes.
Pitch and tone differ depending on the placement and arrangement of the fingers. However, most flutes are played the same way by putting your mouth at the end of the tube and blowing at an angle into the flute.
The name ‘Ney’ is an ancient word for ‘reed,’ usually made from a piece of reed. In the Arab world, the ‘ney’ is often called ‘Qasaba,’ which also means a piece of reed. Neys has been around for thousands of years as they have been found in excavations in Iraq. However, it is still being continuously used, especially in classical Arabic music. It is believed that the Arabic ney flute was previously used in religious ceremonies.
Types of Ney
Neys are classified into several different types like Arabic flutes, Turkish neys, and Egyptian neys, depending on different hole numbers and playing styles. To get sound from a ney, you have to blow into the tube body that is open from both ends. Turkish and Arabic Ney flutes usually have seven holes, while Egyptian neys have five or sometimes six holes.
Turkish and Arabic Neys are almost played the same way, but the difference comes in the ‘baspare’ or the mouthpiece. Turkish neys have a mouthpiece, which affects how you blow into the tube and the sound. Egyptian Ney flute has a different baspare and playing style than the other two.
Arabic Ney Flute
The Arabic Ney flute is a keyed instrument, and it has seven keys which start with ‘Kardene’ the ‘C’ instrument, then Doga (D), Boussalik (E), Jaharka (F), Nawa (G), Husseini (A) and lastly Ajam (B). The Arabic flute has seven holes, and one of them is placed on the back and usually closed by placing a thumb on it.
Turkish Ney
There are several different kinds of Turkish neys like Davut ( E), Şah (F), Mansur Şah Mabeyni (F#), Mansur (G) etc. Turkish neys usually have a mouthpiece attached to the end of the tube. Egyptian neys are quite different from Turkish and Arabic ney flutes. They usually have lesser holes and a different playing technique.
5 Interesting Facts About Arabic Ney
1. Ancient InstrumentThe Arabic ney flute has been played for about 4500 – 5000 years. An old finding of this instrument is thought to have been used in 5000 BC, and another one was used in China in 1249 BC.
2. Favorite Instrument of SufismNeys has always been connected with ‘Sufism’ and has been mentioned in several Sufi poets like Rumi. Moreover, Arabic Ney flutes have been integral to religious and Sufi ceremonies.
3. Analogy in Folk MusicIn folk music, a similarity is drawn between the sad and soulful sound of the ney which represents the yearning of the reed to be reunited with the reed bed which produces it, with a man’s longing to be united with his Master, God.
4. Construction of the NeyTraditionally, a ney was made from the Arundo Donax Plant, also used to make saxophone and other flutes. Some modern makers tried to replace it with metal, but the origins soulful and mournful sound of the ney comes from the natural Arabic ney flute made from cane. Read more about making an Arabic ney.
5. Sound Reminiscent of Desert and OasisIt has a very distinct and distinguished sound. It is said to be reminiscent of the deserts and oasis as it is tragic and mournful but gives some kind of hope and life at the same time.
Final Thoughts
Various instruments get more precious with passing the time, and the Arabic ney is one of them. The instrument can add a cultural and folk flavor to your music which is unparalleled in its deep and soulful tone. The refreshing yet nostalgic sound will remind you and your audience of ancient times!