UD

Sometimes spelt OUD, this is a stringed instrument similar to

the western lute,which was derived from it. Unlike the lute the

ud has no frets,enabling microtonal music to be played on it.

The ud is found throughout the Middle East,Turkey,Greece and

Persia (in Persia it is called Barbat).A version of the ud is known

in Malaysia where it is called Gambus.

Originally the ud had 4 courses of strings (5^th-9^th centuries),then

Al Ziryab,an Arabic scholar added a 5^th course in the early 9^th century.

Today most uds have 6 courses.

There are 2 main kinds of ud,the Arabic and the Turkish,the Turkish ud being

slightly smaller bodied with a brighter tone and is usually tuned slightly higher.

To hear UD(+whistle,violin+drum)click the button

excerpt from "Cecen kizi",a Turkish piece,401kb .rm format

played by Bill Anderson(Ud),Barb Scott(whistle),Sachar Amos(Violin),Paul Hanson(drum).

KAVAL

The kaval is an end blown flute found in the Balkans,Greece (floghera),Turkey

and the Middle East. Primarily a rural folk instrument, it has in many regions been

supplanted by the clarinet .

The kaval has a range of two and a half to three octaves.

If you want kaval lessons email me at the link below.

To hear kaval click the button

excerpt from "Urfa divan",a Kurdish folk tune,224kb .rm format

Played by Bill Anderson(Kaval),Barb Scott(Tambura),Sachar Amos(Violin),Paul Hanson(Drum).

NEY

The ney is also an end blown flute found throughout the Middle East in three main forms,

Turkish ,Arabic and Persian. I play only the Turkish version,which differs from the others

in having a separate mouthpiece (baspare),made of horn or wood.The body of the

instrument is made of cane.It has six fingerholes and a thumbhole.Unlike the Kaval this

instrument is used primarily in art music,most notably in the rituals of the "Mevlevi" sect,

(whirling dervishes) where it is the primary instrument.Of course it is also used in

secular art music as well. Several Ottoman Sultans were ney players (neyzen),the most

famous being Sultan Selim III,who was also a composer of note.

FLUTE

The Flute I play is generally used for Irish music nowadays,but formally was the standard orchestral instrument prior to the introduction of the modern Bhoem system flute.It is made of wood and has six fingerholes and six keys,and is conically bored.The six holes sound the notes for D major,the home key of the instrument, with the keys enabling any neccesary accidentals in other keys.These types of flute are preferred among Irish musicians as the open holes facilitate the production of the ornamentation used which can be difficult, if not impossible on the modern keyed instrument.The combination of the wooden body and conical bore gives these instruments a rich warm tone.

To hear Flute and Whistle click the button

excerpt from early French Gavotte,180kb .rm format

Played by Bill Anderson(Flute),Barb Scott(Whistle),Sachar Amos(Guitar).

TIN WHISTLE

The tinwhistle is a small fipple flute with six fingerholes.Usually it is metal with a plastic mouthpiece,but can also be made of wood or plastic.Accidentals are achieved by either half-holing or crossfingering which can be cumbersome if there are a lot of them,therefore it’s main forte is playing music that is predominately diatonic such as Irish music and other forms of folk music.In capable hands it is a very versatile instrument with a range of about 2 octaves.

If you want tin whistle lessons,email me at the link below.