The Nay

The nay is a reed flute played in the Eastern Arab countries. The sound of the nay is very breathy which is likely to come from the cane being open-ended. It comes in many different sizes which allows for the different pitches. However, in the front of the nay, there are six holes for the player to play with their fingers. One extra hole is located on the bottom for the thumb of the player to stay. Players use both lips to create the sound which is called bilabial blowing. Each microtonal tone is assigned to a hole on the nay. Changes can be made to the tone by changing the hole or blowing differently. Like the flute, the amount of air determines the octave pitch. The more gentle you blow into the orifice, the more soothing the sound will be. The range of the nay is about two octaves. Of all the Arab instruments, the nay is most difficult.

The woman is explaining techniques a person can use to help them learn how to play the nay. She shows you where to place the nay on your mouth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4xh7_mJNPc

Mr. Baris is a music teacher at a school in Turkey. He also plays the nay professionally. I find it interesting that this teacher still performs professionally with the nay.

 

  In the following video, a man is demonstrating a cane pole becomes a nay. He first makes the segments then creates the tone-holes. He uses a compass to know the measurements for the holes.

 

 

Avi Adir is performing a concert with the nay. Unlike the flute, a performer holds the nay straight in front of them instead of parallel to their face.

 

I chose this video because I think it exemplifies how the nay can be a calming instrument. The sound of the nay in the video is complimented with the oud to help create a beautiful piece of art.

 

 

Church, Michael. The Other Classical Musics: Fifteen Great Traditions. Woodbridge: Boydell Press, 2015.

"Arabic Musical Instruments." Arabic Musical Instruments. July 14, 2007. Accessed September 23, 2016. http://www.maqamworld.com/instruments.html.