The Chromatic Ney

  THE CHROMATIC NEY

       I'd like to present you the chromatic ney which I developed and constructed myself. Ney is an Oriental flute, traditionally made of reed, which is at least 4 thousand years old. It has usually only 7 holes. Therefore, it is not possible to play it chromatically. To solve this problem, I've constructed a metal ney with 11 holes and 5 flaps. Together with the main hole at the bottom, I can produce all of the 12 semitones of an octave. Thus, for the first time in the human history, it is now possible to play the ney in all 2.5 octaves chromatically. I can explain you the details of the construction: If you close all of the holes, the main hole at the bottom sounds in Bb. For B and C I've constructed a double-flap system, which I control with my right small finger. And then there are 3 holes for C#, D and D#. For E there is another flap, which I control with my left small finger. And again 3 holes for F, F# and G. For G# and A I've constructed another double-flap system, which I control with my left thumb. Thus, the chromatic scale is completed. On the video below, you will hear a multimodal improvisation of mine on the chromatic ney. Just enjoy it.