The sipsi (pronounced [sipˈsi]) is a clarinet-like, single-reed instrument used mainly in folk music and native to the Aegean region of Turkey. The word "sipsi" may sound like the noises it makes. The sipsi can be made of bone, wood, or reed, though the reed version is most common. Its size changes depending on the region, but it usually has five finger holes on the front and one finger hole on the back.

The sipsi is one of many reed instruments in Turkey used to play main melodies in folk music. It is typically played in the western part of the Aegean Region of Turkey. Most folk songs played in this area with the sipsi follow an 8-time rhythm.

Playing

The sound of the sipsi is like that of the Irish bagpipe. Players use a special breathing technique called circular breathing. During this method, air is taken in through the nose while air stored in the cheeks is released. This allows the instrument to produce a continuous sound without stopping.

To tune the sipsi, a thread is wrapped around the bottom of the reed, which is inserted into the main part of the instrument. By adjusting the tightness of the thread, the pitch of the reed changes. Although the sipsi has only six finger holes, its range is larger than it appears. Higher notes can be played by controlling how air is breathed into the instrument.