Davud Turkish Ney

A rare and substantial instrument. At 39 1/8 inches (approximately 99 cm) in total length, this is a Davud-size Turkish ney, one of the longer sizes in the traditional Turkish ney family, tuned to F. Longer neys such as the Davud are associated with foundational tones in ensemble contexts, and their greater length yields a fuller, more resonant quality in the lower registers.

The Turkish ney is a rim-blown, oblique flute made of giant reed, with six finger holes on the front and a high-set thumb hole on the back. Using cross-fingering, finger-hole shading, and embouchure adjustment, a skilled player can produce any pitch over a two-and-a-half octave range or more. The instrument's pitch is built into its length and hole placement; intonation across the range depends on breath and embouchure, so fine tuning is ultimately a matter of technique.

The physical demands of a Davud are significant. The longer the ney, the more difficult it is to obtain sound, to control, to reach the notes, and to move quickly. At nearly a meter in length, this instrument will suit a tall player with long arms, ideally six feet or above, who has the reach to cover the finger holes comfortably and the lung capacity to drive the longer air column. The Davud ney is rarely used in contemporary practice, making this a genuinely uncommon instrument. It was acquired around 1970 in Spain.