The Balaban is a traditional woodwind instrument of Iran, which is played in the west of Iran especially in Kurdestan and Azarbaijan.

The Balaban is a double reed instrument which has ancient origins, said to be from 1500 to 3000 years old. Today this musical instrument is made of wood with a large double reed. The particular tuning depends heavily on the region which it is played. The instrument's body also has different lengths depanding upon the range of the instrument and region. The reed, (Persian: Ghamish), is made from one or two pieces of cane in a duck-bill type assembly. Unlike other double-reed instruments, the reed is quite wide, helping to give the Balaban both its unique, mournful sound, as well as its remarkable breath requirements.