# Balaban — Instrument 🇦🇿

> Azerbaijani double-reed wind instrument. Soulful, melancholic. Folk tradition.

## Type
Double-reed cylindrical wind instrument.

## Origin
Azerbaijani / Caucasian / Central Asian. Similar to Armenian duduk and Turkish balaban.

## Construction
- Cylindrical body (apricot wood traditional)
- Double reed
- Finger holes
- Limited range but expressive

## Range
~1 octave (limited but used melodically).

## Sound character
- Warm, soulful
- Mournful capability
- Vocal-like
- Slow vibrato characteristic
- Penetrating but not loud

## Playing styles
### Folk solo
- Lament / lyrical melodies
- Slow tempo
- Long phrases

### Ensemble
- Folk ensemble
- Wedding music
- Cultural celebrations

### Cinematic / dramatic
- Sad film moments
- Atmospheric

## Genre fit
- Azerbaijani folk (essential)
- Caucasian folk
- World music
- Cinematic (sad moments — used in many film scores)
- Modern fusion

## Cultural significance
- Often used at funerals (lament)
- Wedding music (different mood)
- Cultural identity instrument

## Famous balaban players
- Various traditional masters
- Used by Hans Zimmer in film scores (atmospheric)

## For Suno
```
[Balaban: Azerbaijani double-reed wind, mournful slow melody, vocal-like 
expressive vibrato, traditional acoustic, soulful]
```

```
[Balaban: cinematic sad moment, sustained emotional notes, atmospheric]
```

## When to use
Azerbaijani folk contexts. Sad / mournful moments. Cultural authenticity. Cinematic Middle Eastern atmosphere.

## Related instruments
- **Duduk** (Armenian) — very similar, often substituted
- **Mey** (Turkish) — related
- **Suling** (Indonesian) — different but related family
