How to Oil a Ney
Since a moist ney cannot absorb oil through its pores, oiling time the ney should preferably not be played on that day, and its inner surface must be dry. Before oiling, the mouthpiece should be removed—if it cannot be detached, it must not be forced—and oiling without the mouthpiece is preferred. If the mouthpiece is made from a material that requires oiling, it must be oiled separately.
Although a ney can be oiled using various methods, after a few minutes of oiling, the oil must be allowed to drain for at least 4–5 hours, and its outer surface should be wiped down with a dry, lint-free cloth.
Methods of Oiling a Ney
While generally accepted methods can be used for oiling a ney, similar techniques may also be developed. These methods include:
- Placing the ney in a specially designed oiling tank—typically preferred by ney makers and individuals who own multiple instruments—filled with suitable oil, and allowing it to rest inside,
- Immersing the ney inside a container arger in diameter and length—such as a sealed-end PVC pipe of suitable dimensions—filled with appropriate oil, and allowing it to rest within,
- Wrapping one end of the ney tightly with stretch film or a similar sealing material to prevent leakage, then filling the instrument with a suitable oil and allowing it to rest in this state,
- Filling the ney with suitable oil after covering one end with a finger and sealing the tone holes with tape or similar material, then letting it rest (this method is not recommended by us, as removing the material used to seal the tone holes may damage the natural fibers of the ney’s structure).
- It is considered acceptable to immerse one end of the ney into a container filled with suitable oil, seal the tone holes with fingers, and then—by drawing air through the other end using the mouth as if using a straw—allow the oil to fill the inside, continuing until the oil reaches the tongue, and then letting it slowly drain out.
Procedures to Follow After Oiling the Ney
After the ney has been removed from the oil or emptied of its contents, it should be placed in an upright position for no less than 4–5 hours—such as hanging it upside down from the dügâh tone hole (the lowest hole of the ney) onto a suitable hook or nail—so that the excess oil can be drained.To collect the oil that drains from the ney, a container should be placed underneath. This container not only helps keep the area clean but also allows you to reuse the drained oil, contributing to conservation.
Once the excess oil has drained, the outer surface of the ney should be wiped with a clean, lint-free cloth, the mouthpiece reattached, and the instrument made ready for use. If a pleasant fragrance from the ney is desired, natural scents such as musk, rose oil, or lavender oil—free from chemical additives—may be added to the oil prepared for the oiling process, and the ney can then be oiled using this mixture.
May your breath be everlasting, and your ney live long…