Romanian Panpipes

Panpipes originated in several different geographical zones at different times, but their development remains very similar to their ancestral beginnings. The most common curved panpipes used today is the Romanian Panflute or Nai (named for the Persian word "Ney" meaning pipes of reed). The curve of the Romanian panpipes, along with the scraped bamboo, slides smoother across the player's face, allowing them to be played with more virtuosity than their straight cousin, the South American panpipes.

The pipes of the panflute are diatonic, but the instrument can be played chromatically by tilting the flute in to lower the pitch by a half-step.