Ney is the ancient flute of the middle East. The word is of Persian origin and means 'reed' as well as 'flute'; neys are made of a certain type of reed cane.

 

There are two main types of ney technique: middle Eastern and Iranian. Middle Eastern Eastern embouchure employs pursed lips with the instrument held at an angle to the mouth; Iranian embouchure employs tongue and teeth. The Iranian ney has a powerful breathy sound in the low octave; the middle Eastern ney produces a stronger upper register.

 

The kaval is found in Turkey and the Balkans. It is made of wood rather than reed cane and is played the same way as the ney. The kaval is fully chromatic, making it suitable as a substitute for the ney in parts requiring equal temperament.