Persian Ney

The Persian ney is an ancient rim-blown flute made from local reeds, integral to classical, folk, and religious music in Iran. With a history spanning over 4,500 years, the ney is among the oldest musical instruments still in use today. The word “ney” itself comes from an ancient Sumerian term for reed, “na.” The person who plays the ney is known as a “neyzen” in Persian, reflecting the deep cultural ties this instrument has in the musical heritage of the Middle East. The Persian ney has a unique mouthpiece style, using a gap between the front teeth and tongue, making it one of the most soulful and evocative instruments in traditional music.

History of the Persian Ney

The Persian ney traces its history back to the Sumerian civilization, where it originated as a simple wind instrument known as “na” made of cane. Over time, this instrument evolved into the present-day ney, played extensively in classical Persian music and other regional genres. The ney has been used continuously for thousands of years, making it a timeless symbol of Iran’s rich musical tradition. Its distinct and soulful sound is produced by channeling air between the front teeth, creating a haunting, mystical resonance that has been employed in a wide range of cultural, religious, and artistic contexts.

Anatomy of the Persian Ney

The Persian ney is an end-blown flute crafted from a specific type of reed harvested in the hot, dry regions of Iran, such as Kashan, Qom, or Esfahan. Here are the major components that make the Persian ney unique:

• Body: The body of the ney is made from a single piece of reed divided into seven segments by six natural nodes. This slight conical shape gives the ney its characteristic taper, which influences the sound and tone quality. After harvesting, the reed is cut, sanded, and polished, and the inner walls are smoothed to ensure a clear air path.
• Mouthpiece: Unlike the Arabic and Turkish neys, the Persian ney often features a simple mouth extension, which can be made from copper, plastic, or even horn. This mouthpiece strengthens the reed and eases playability. Interestingly, some players may use a small piece of camera film as an improvised mouthpiece.
• Finger Holes: The Persian ney has five front finger holes and one thumb hole on the back. These holes allow for the wide range of pitches and microtonal variations characteristic of Persian music.
• Metal Reinforcement: At the bottom of the ney, there is often another extension for added strength and protection, enhancing durability and helping in maintaining proper airflow.

Playing Techniques and Unique Sound

The Persian ney’s sound is produced by positioning the top of the ney between the two upper front teeth, directing a stream of air through this gap while controlling the flow with the tongue. This playing method gives the ney its unique, expressive sound. Here are some key techniques used in playing the Persian ney:

• Embouchure: The player holds the ney with the mouth positioned over the top, channeling air between the teeth and using the tongue to direct the airflow. This technique creates the distinct soulful timbre of the Persian ney.
• Microtonal Control: The ney produces microtones, which are essential in Persian classical music. The microtones are achieved by subtle movements of the lips and tongue, allowing pitch changes up to one whole tone up or down.
• Registers: The ney is played across several registers:
  • Bam: The lowest register, often used for deep, resonant notes. It can be played either softly for a smooth tone or forcefully for a rougher texture.
  • Zir: The second register, played one octave higher than bam.
  • Geesh: The third register, played an octave and a fifth higher than bam.
  • Pas-Geesh: The rarely used fourth register, played two octaves above bam.
• Pitch and Tuning: The ney is capable of producing various pitches depending on the length of the instrument. The length determines the tonal range—shorter neys produce higher pitches while longer ones yield deeper tones. Tuning also incorporates microtonal adjustments unique to Persian music, including koron (a flat note slightly sharper than a Western flat) and sori (a sharp note that is slightly flatter than a typical sharp).

Fingering and Tuning

The Persian ney has six finger holes: five in front and one in the back. These finger holes allow for a wide range of notes, including microtonal inflections critical to Persian classical music. Persian music has additional accidentals called koron and sori, which provide finer pitch distinctions:

• Koron (پ): Flattens the note by roughly 30-45 cents.
• Sori (>): Raises the note by approximately 30-45 cents, giving Persian music its unique character.

The ney is often categorized by pitch, with common ney sizes ranging from A to G#, each roughly 51 to 81 centimeters long. The exact length of the ney influences its range and pitch, with shorter neys producing higher notes and longer ones yielding lower, more resonant sounds.

Similar Instruments

The Persian ney belongs to a broader family of neys, which also includes the Turkish ney and the Arabic ney:

• Turkish Ney: The Turkish ney features a brass or plastic mouthpiece called başpare, which adds stability to the instrument and helps produce a sharper sound.
• Arabic Ney: Similar in structure to the Turkish ney, but without a mouthpiece. The Arabic ney is known for its softer tone, and it is often used in a wider variety of Middle Eastern music traditions.
• Persian Ney: Unlike its Turkish and Arabic counterparts, the Persian ney is played with the tip inserted between the two front teeth, using the tongue to direct airflow. This unique embouchure produces its distinct sound, rich in overtones and subtle microtonal variations.

Maintenance of the Persian Ney

Maintaining a Persian ney properly ensures its longevity and keeps it sounding its best:

• Oiling: To protect the reed from drying out and cracking, oiling is an essential maintenance task. It is recommended to use sesame oil, almond oil, corn oil, or even rose oil in small amounts. During the first three months, the ney should be oiled weekly. After that, bi-monthly oiling is recommended for up to a year, and once a month afterward.
• Storage: The ney should be stored in a protective case, but not in an airtight container, as it needs some airflow to prevent mold. It should be allowed to dry thoroughly before storage.
• General Care: The ney should be handled with care to avoid bending, and it should be kept away from heat sources to prevent damage to the reed.