Professional Pipe Reed For Turkish Zurna AZB-404

This reed is for the LA Zurna. Different sizes are available — please send us a message after order with the key you want.

About Pipe Reeds for Turkish Zurna

A professional reed pipe is sounded by a vibrating brass strip known as a reed. Air under pressure (referred to as wind) is directed towards the reed, which vibrates at a specific pitch. This is in contrast to flue pipes, which contain no moving parts and produce sound solely through the vibration of air molecules.

A professional pipe reed for Turkish zurna comprises a metal tongue (the reed) which rests against a shallot, in which is carved a tunnel. The reed and shallot are held in place by a wooden wedge. This assembly protrudes from the underside of the block and hangs down into the boot. A tuning wire is inserted through the boot and is bent to hold the reed against the shallot. The wire is moved up or down using a tuning knife in order to change the length of the tongue that is permitted to vibrate, thereby changing the pitch produced by the pipe.

About the Turkish Zurna

The Turkish Zurna is a widely used instrument in Turkey as well as in West and Central Asia, South-Eastern Europe, and North Africa, under very similar names like sorna, surnay, and zurla. It is a double-reed woodwind instrument with a very bright, high-frequency sound. It is almost inseparable from the davul (Turkish bass drum), and the two together form the traditional Turkish wedding ensemble. It is constructed from one piece of wood, has one thumb-hole, and up to eight finger-holes. The player blows into the double-reed mouthpiece and uses circular breathing to make the melody continuous.