Saidawi Turkish Zurna [better] | Fayez
Explain how to set up in Kontakt for this specific instrument?
A delicate, double reed made from specific river canes, which vibrates to produce the instrument's signature sharp tone. Who is Fayez Saidawi?
The phrase represents a masterful fusion of traditional Middle Eastern music and modern digital audio production, centered around the release of a specialized software sample instrument. Developed by sample content creator Fayez Saidawi under his audio brand Findasound , this virtual instrument digitizes the piercing, iconic sound of the traditional Turkish zurna for music producers worldwide.
: Video walkthroughs and audio demos (previously hosted on KVR Audio ) showcase the instrument's ability to perform complex melodic runs and microtonal scales typical of Turkish Maqam music.
Understanding the Turkish Zurna: An Instrument of Power and Celebration Fayez Saidawi Turkish Zurna
The "Fayez Saidawi Turkish Zurna" sits alongside the work of iconic players like , considered a master of the instrument who left a deep mark on Turkish folk music, and Selim Sesler , who began his career playing zurna in village weddings before becoming a celebrated clarinetist. These musicians, along with the hundreds of anonymous village zurnacılar , have shaped the instrument's sound. Saidawi's library is a direct, digital descendant of that living tradition.
Fayez Saidawi Turkish Zurna is a specialized virtual instrument library designed for musicians and producers to replicate the authentic sound of the traditional Turkish zurna within digital audio workstations. The Developer: Fayez Saidawi Fayez Saidawi is a Jordan-born, Toronto-based musician and developer . He is the founder of Findasound
To appreciate the virtual library, one must understand the physical instrument. The is a double-reed woodwind instrument widely used throughout Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans.
In the world of music production, Fayez Saidawi is known for collaborating with to create deeply sampled virtual instruments that capture the nuances of Middle Eastern music. Explain how to set up in Kontakt for
Through collaboration with international virtuosos, educational outreach, and digital documentation, Saidawi ensures that the complex techniques of zurna construction and the mastery of the double-reed remain accessible to future generations of musicians.
: Traditionally played outdoors at weddings, festivals, and folk dances, it is often paired with the davul (a large bass drum).
refers to a specialized virtual instrument library developed by Fayez Saidawi for the Findasound audio development company. This professional sample library is designed for use with Native Instruments' Kontakt sampler, allowing music producers to integrate the piercing, traditional sound of the Turkish zurna into modern digital compositions. The Developer: Fayez Saidawi
Players use circular breathing to maintain a continuous, piercing tone without stopping for breath. This continuous drone and intense vibrato make it a staple of outdoor celebrations, folk dances, and traditional military music across Turkey and the Balkans. The Digital Preservation: Findasound & Fayez Saidawi The phrase represents a masterful fusion of traditional
Fayez Saidawi is a musician known for performing the zurna, a traditional Turkish double-reed woodwind instrument. The zurna produces a loud, bright, nasal sound and is commonly used in folk music, outdoor celebrations, weddings, and processional contexts across Turkey and neighboring regions. Saidawi’s work focuses on traditional repertoire and contemporary arrangements that showcase the instrument’s expressive and rhythmic qualities.
Zurna music is famously paired with complex, asymmetrical time signatures common in folk music (such as 7/8, 9/8, or 11/8). Saidawi locks into these intricate rhythms effortlessly, leading the percussion with sharp, definitive accents.
Throughout his career, Fayez Saidawi has had the privilege of collaborating with various musicians, ensembles, and orchestras, showcasing the versatility of the Turkish Zurna in different musical settings. Some notable performances include:
: While it was a staple of Findasound's catalog, it is often listed as a legacy product or part of older "Oriental Soloist" collections.
The name is primarily recognized in the world of music production and virtual instrumentation as the creator of highly specialized digital libraries that capture the authentic sounds of Middle Eastern instruments . One of his notable contributions is the Turkish Zurna sample library, which brings the ancient, piercing sound of the Anatolian wind instrument into the modern digital studio. The Legacy of the Zurna
The Listening Walk
In this children’s book, a young girl takes a quiet walk with her father and identifies the many different sounds they hear.
Family Activity: A Tree’s Life
Examine a tree’s lifecycle and find similarities to lifecycles of other living things.
Why Teach Outside?
Nature helps children’s development–intellectually, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and physically. Studies show that teaching outdoors produces student gains in social studies, science, language arts and math.
Environmental Education Activity Guide
96 hands-on, multi-disciplinary activities make teaching fun! Aligned with state and national standards, our practical and flexible lesson plans engage students in learning.
MAKE LEARNING FUN
Get our educational materials and professional development by participating in an in-person workshop or an online course.
Get information relevant to your state, plus local assistance and connections to resources and professionals in your community.
Get a wealth of up-to-date resources, support, and ideas from teachers and other educators.
Jess Kaknevicius
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER, The Branch
Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter for free tools and resources, new lesson plans, professional development and grant opportunities, and tips from educators for teaching about the environment.