Mey (Balaban) is a woodwind instrument, which has been performed for centuries in Turkey. Mey consists of three parts namely body, reed and clip. Body has 7 holes on frontside and one hole on backside. There is wide and flattered double reed on the mouth side of body. On reed there is a clip used for I chording. There are three different traditional sizes of mey called "ana" (the largest), orta (middle) and cura (the smallest). Apart from the traditional sizes, various mey forms can be found in different tunes today.

Mey is usually performed solo. When performing with a group, percussion or another mey accompany. It is preferred for indoor performing. The sound range of mey is limited to one octave; therefore, it is not possible to perform all modes of Turkish Folk Music with mey. It is very important to dominate lips, breath and fingers properly during mey performing. The pitch is varied through a combination of lip pressure and the uncovering of the I finger holes. Tunes should be played continuously which requires circular breathing. Therefore, a person who wants to be a master in mey performing has to develop his/herself in a long period of time.

The raw material used for mey production is various tree types, which are grown under certain climatic conditions. Mey craftspeople should have an advanced knowledge of nature related to plants, trees and climate. There are different types of trees used in production of Mey. In Turkey, craftspeople! who produce mey, mostly prefer plum and apricot trees for making body part, however locust, walnut, mulberry and rose trees are also used. Reed, which gives the characteristic sound of mey, is made of cattail. Clip is made of various trees, reeds and wooden rods. The element has various social and cultural aspects connected with social practices, social memory and cultural identity. Mey is also take part in minstrelsy tradition as an instrument. It is performed in indoor place activities like traditional sohbet meetings, minstrel gatherings, engagement, wedding ceremonies and festive events.

Craftsmanship and Performing Art of Mey/Balaban was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on behalf of Türkiye and Azerbaijan in 2023.