Silk Road Instruments

tutek
[TOO tek] orig. Azerbaijan

The tutek is a side-blown whistle flute, unlike the ney [nay] and shakuhachi [SHA koo ha chee] which are end-blown flutes. A small protrusion inside the top of the flute interrupts the air flow through the shaft and creates a sound. The player blows into, rather than over, the top of the flute and changes pitch by covering and uncovering the finger holes. The tutek is made of reed or of wood.

The tutek was traditionally used by shepherds to create non-religious music. It was played alone or in small ensembles at family festivities. The traditional tutek repertoire consists mainly of shepherds’ signals, folk melodies and accompaniments, and dances. Today the tutek is used in popular music and in modern classical pieces.