Nai (pan flute)
Encyclopedia
The nai is a Romania
n and also Moldavia
n diatonic pan flute
used since the 17th century and used in lăutari
bands.
or reed. They are arranged in a curved array with lower pipes on the left, allowing a greater speed of play. The pitch of each pipe is adjusted with beeswax
; usually nais are in G or C.
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n and also Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
n diatonic pan flute
Pan flute
The pan flute or pan pipe is an ancient musical instrument based on the principle of the closed tube, consisting usually of five or more pipes of gradually increasing length...
used since the 17th century and used in lăutari
Lautari
The Romanian word Lăutar denotes a class of traditional musicians. Most often, and by tradition, Lăutari are members of a professional clan of Romani musicians , also called Ţigani lăutari. The term is derived from Lăută the name of a string instrument...
bands.
Structure
The nai has usually about 22 pipes made of bambooBamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
or reed. They are arranged in a curved array with lower pipes on the left, allowing a greater speed of play. The pitch of each pipe is adjusted with beeswax
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax produced in the bee hive of honey bees of the genus Apis. It is mainly esters of fatty acids and various long chain alcohols...
; usually nais are in G or C.