Egyptian Flute 21 1/2 inches Only $81 Was $89 See Egyptian Video
My Egyptian Flute is an easier modified version of the ancient Egyptian Ney
Although Neys are found in the Arabic world from Morocco to Pakistan, Persia, and Turkey, it is said to have started over 5,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt.
Seen in tomb paintings in pyramids and still played in some Ethiopian tribes. It is one of the oldest forms of flutes. The Museum in Cairo shows some very primitive Neys that bear striking similarities to the simple cane instruments that are still found in Egypt today.
The Ney (nay, or nai) is the soul instrument in the Arabic music. The Ney is commonly a pastoral instrument and also used in classical, folk and religious music.
The traditional Ney is made of Nile Reed. The Persian word Ney means reed.
Egyptian Neys usually are made from plain cane with seven sound holes, Six in the front and one in the back. While Persian instruments have six sound holes and a brass mouthpiece.
I played around with a 6 hole Ney and perhaps to my western way of interpreting harmony I found one hole to be a real bother musically. So I modified the flute without it; leaving 4 top holes and one in the back.
It is traditionally an end-blown flute. One of the hardest to play in the world.
So I also revamped the hard to blow mouthpiece and replaced it with the much easier western side blown hole. So now you spit watermelon seeds to make it sound. Which took me one day to figure out alone, instead of 1 year on the original Ney and still got no sound and I have been a flute maker for 36 years. When someone mentioned "you need to pretend you are whistling", I got it.
We will write your first name in hieroglyphics or any first name.
Let us know in the comment box.
Most of the Neys from Egypt have a piece of wire wrapped on the top segment of the Ney. Traditionally it is for decoration but some Ney makers say that it is for protecting the Ney from cracking. Most serious Ney players will remove the wire altogether because they say it restricts the free vibration of the Ney.
Egyptian Neys usually are made from plain cane with seven sound holes, while Persian instruments have six sound holes and a brass mouthpiece. Turkish Neys often have a mushroom shaped bone or wooden mouthpiece. Most Neys are played by blocking off the top of the instrument with the lips, while blowing against the inside edge. The Persian Ney differs in that the top edge of the instrument is placed between the teeth and air directed by the tongue. Neys have a beautifully distinctive sound, and even though difficult to learn, they remain popular in both the East and West.
What they are saying
'I am a sucker for exotic instruments, especially flutes. They don't come much more exotic than the Egyptian and Mediation flutes by Erik and his apprentice Leo. Both of these are beautifully finished with middle-eastern carving, and special bindings to set off the ends.
The narrower bore of the Egyptian gives it a very sweet sound, particularly the second octave. By contrast, the wider bore of the Mediation flute gives it a rich, warm tone. The scale of the Mediation flute is very unusual - almost impressionistic, like a Debussy piece. This makes it a very creative instrument, ideal for getting out of musical ruts. Thanks Erik for making these great instruments available at a reasonable price.'
Bill Butler, Austrailia, June 2005
This is an exotic scale, very melodic. By going up & down the scale it will sound good.
This is like the Minor, Arabian and Oriental flutes taught on our DVD & Video.
This DVD teaches the basic principles of improvising on exotic scales.
The Egyptian Flute in not taught specifically on the how to Dvd. But it is helpful.
Erik the Flutemaker.com Contact us: 954-424-6502
14701 SW 18 Court Davie, FL. 33325 Email us: info@eriktheflutemaker.com
