The zurna is a conical wooden wind instrument with a large double reed and a loud, sharp, piercing sound able to carry over great distances. This is precisely why it is indispensable for open-air music — weddings, dances, folk celebrations.
The zurna is widespread over an enormous territory — from the Balkans and Turkey through the Caucasus and the Middle East all the way to Central Asia, and in each culture it has its own varieties and names. It is often played in a pair with a drum (davul), and performers frequently use circular breathing so the melody sounds without pauses. Its powerful, “wild” yet virtuosic voice is an inseparable part of the festive musical culture of many peoples, a symbol of joy, energy, and folk revelry.
