Egyptian Flute Essay
The Impact of Ancient Egyptian Flutes on Modern Egyptian Flutes
Introduction
Music has played an integral role in Egyptian society since ancient times. Music has been seen in Ancient Egyptian society as early as 4000BC where it was involved largely in everyday life through playing a role in ceremonies, being linked to Gods and providing workers with a means to pass the hours whilst taking part in long, tedious tasks. Modern day Egyptian music still holds roots from Ancient Egyptian times as well as having evolved to incorporate musical styles which are more westernised. This can be particularly seen in the evolution of the flute throughout Egyptian history. In a comparison between ancient and modern Egyptian flutes, the influence of ancient …show more content…
This flute has roots common with their ancient Egyptian equivalent and the similarity can be seen between the two flutes depicted in figures 1 and 4. The version of the Nay used for worship and religious ceremonies is still in use and played in Cairo today as it’s simple structure has transcended time (Southgate, 1915). As Southgate (1915, p. 108) outlines, the modern day nay is a “flute without mouthpiece and played obliquely.” This flute is different from the westernised version of the flute which has a mouthpiece and is played horizontally beneath the lower lip. Despite the western version of the flute existing in multiple cultures worldwide, the original cultural version of the Egyptian flute still exists in Egyptian society. It can be noted that the word ‘nay’ refers to two different elements depending on its specific or general definition. Generally, ‘nay’ refers to any instrument in the woodwind family; however, specifically, it refers to the reed-pipe which is in use in modern day society (George, 1929). The term ‘mizmar’ also refers to a flute in Egyptian communities which differs from the nay in structure (as can be seen in figures 4 and 5) (George, 1929). This reed pipe, commonly in use in Egypt, is constructed in multiple parts for convenience of transportation and this aspect has been evolved over years of construction in Egyptian society (Southgate, 1915). The Egyptian flute notably has roots from ancient times; however, through analysis, similarities and differences can be seen between flutes from both
Introduction
Music has played an integral role in Egyptian society since ancient times. Music has been seen in Ancient Egyptian society as early as 4000BC where it was involved largely in everyday life through playing a role in ceremonies, being linked to Gods and providing workers with a means to pass the hours whilst taking part in long, tedious tasks. Modern day Egyptian music still holds roots from Ancient Egyptian times as well as having evolved to incorporate musical styles which are more westernised. This can be particularly seen in the evolution of the flute throughout Egyptian history. In a comparison between ancient and modern Egyptian flutes, the influence of ancient …show more content…
This flute has roots common with their ancient Egyptian equivalent and the similarity can be seen between the two flutes depicted in figures 1 and 4. The version of the Nay used for worship and religious ceremonies is still in use and played in Cairo today as it’s simple structure has transcended time (Southgate, 1915). As Southgate (1915, p. 108) outlines, the modern day nay is a “flute without mouthpiece and played obliquely.” This flute is different from the westernised version of the flute which has a mouthpiece and is played horizontally beneath the lower lip. Despite the western version of the flute existing in multiple cultures worldwide, the original cultural version of the Egyptian flute still exists in Egyptian society. It can be noted that the word ‘nay’ refers to two different elements depending on its specific or general definition. Generally, ‘nay’ refers to any instrument in the woodwind family; however, specifically, it refers to the reed-pipe which is in use in modern day society (George, 1929). The term ‘mizmar’ also refers to a flute in Egyptian communities which differs from the nay in structure (as can be seen in figures 4 and 5) (George, 1929). This reed pipe, commonly in use in Egypt, is constructed in multiple parts for convenience of transportation and this aspect has been evolved over years of construction in Egyptian society (Southgate, 1915). The Egyptian flute notably has roots from ancient times; however, through analysis, similarities and differences can be seen between flutes from both