“One of the oldest forms of flute is the ney, the endblown flute played in slightly varying forms from Morocco to Pakistan. The word is Farsi for reed, and indeed the nay is made in its traditional form from the Arundo Donax plant, the same as used to make oboe, saxophone and clarinet reeds. It is not made from bamboo, as the differing internodal pattern of the Arundo Donax is used in a specific fashion to make ney.“
The Ney is fundamental to Sufi rituals and ceremonies. It is frequently utilised in Sama, the Sufi practise of listening to music and dancing in devotion. Ney music’s hypnotic nature provides an immersive setting, allowing participants to “transcend” the material world and achieve a state of heightened spiritual consciousness. With its distinct tones and rich melodies, the Ney serves as a channel for the expression of devotion and love for the divine.
This can be related to altered states of consciousness and research by Lyz Cooper, Founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy which aligned with participatory accounts of the ways in which Sound, showed statistically significant effects such as transcendence of time and space, joy, muscle relaxation, and visual imagery. Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) involve temporary changes in brainwave frequencies, naturally occurring or induced by factors like meditation and sound therapy, which allow for immersion and immersive environments for installations.
Much like Qawwali The ney flute is deeply associated with Sufi Islam and is used to communicate spiritual thoughts. The ney’s cry-like sound is frequently noted, demonstrating its voice-like quality.. Even those who are not religious are interested in learning to play the ney in Turkey, where it originated. The ney’s mystical and spiritual qualities are now employed to promote music and instruments, making it popular not just for its sound but also for its cultural significance – helping me to think about the importance behind bringing it into a modern, multichannel space.
Luminous Tones–Music for Health and Harmony. (2018). Sound-Induced Altered States of Consciousness. [online] Available at: https://www.luminous-tones.com/blog/sound-induced-altered-states-of-consciousness [Accessed 29 Nov. 2023].
Azumi, E. (2017). The Ney: The Middle Eastern Flute. [online] Lark in the Morning. Available at: https://larkinthemorning.com/blogs/articles/the-ney-the-middle-eastern-flute [Accessed 13 Nov. 2023].