Frequently Asked Questions About the Ney

We’ve gathered answers to frequently asked questions such as “What is the ney? Is it difficult to learn? What kind of ney should I buy?”—especially for those who are new to the instrument or seeking to learn more about it.

What is the ney and how is it played?

The ney is a wind instrument made from a natural type of reed (Arundo Donax) and is played by blowing.

Compared to other musical instruments, the ney is a challenging one. However, it is not impossibly difficult. For detailed information, you may refer to our article titled "Is Learning the Ney Difficult?” .

Yes, anyone who desires and has no physical condition preventing them from holding or blowing the ney can play it.

Smoking does not prevent ney playing; however, it may negatively affect the performance duration and the player’s breath capacity.

Turkish Language Association (TDK) defines the verb “to blow” (üflemek) as “to play wind instruments.” Since the ney is a wind instrument, the correct usage should be known as blowing the ney, not playing the ney.

The ney has a total of 7 holes called “perde,” one of which is located on the back surface.

Since the ney can be tuned to any naturally occurring pitch, it is not possible to give an exact answer to how many types of neys exist. However, it is possible to classify them as primary tunings and intermediate tunings. For detailed information, please visit our article titled "Types of Neys".

For beginners, it is best to choose a ney tuned to the pitch recommended by your instructor. If you plan to study independently, you may select a ney in the tuning you prefer. The most important point to consider is that the ney you purchase should have perfect tuning and be made by a maker who plays the ney themselves. For more detailed information, please refer to our article titled “Which Type of Ney Should I Choose?” .

The ideal approach when purchasing a ney is to ensure that the reed used has a glossy outer surface, nodes that are equal or nearly equal in length, and the aşiran tone hole placed at the center of a node. The reed should be straight, and its knots cleaned without damage and properly filled using suitable materials. It is highly recommended to buy your ney from a maker who also plays the instrument. For detailed information, please refer to our article titled “What Should I Pay Attention to When Buying a Ney?“ .

The ney should be held with the right hand above and the left hand below, or with the left hand above and the right hand below, depending on the player’s individual performance preference. For more detailed information, please refer to our article titled "Sound Production and Sitting Posture in Ney Playing".

Music education can facilitate learning and playing the ney, but it is not a requirement.

Although there is no specific note that must be known to perform on the ney, if it is not going to be played by ear, one should at least have music training at a level sufficient for solfège.

Solfège: The act of reading musical notes with proper pitch and duration according to musical rules is called solfège.

Since ney training is a process dependent on the individual's talent and practice duration, it is not possible to specify a fixed training period. However, it is possible to reach a level where one can perform pieces within a few months.

Among the fundamental techniques are lip and blowing positions, finger placements, and breath control.

The ney is a fretless instrument, meaning it can produce microtones. Thanks to this structure, it can be used in all styles and forms of music. However, it is most commonly known to be used in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish music.

The ney instrument is believed to have been used in religious ceremonies as early as 5000–3000 BCE. 

The ney is made from reed known as kargı (arundo donax), although modern versions may include plastic or metal components.

According to the Turkish Language Association (TDK), a person who plays or blows the ney is called a “ neyzen " (ney performer).

There are different types of ney with varying lengths and diameters. For detailed information, please visit our page titled “Types of Neys".

The reed of the ney should be cleaned regularly and protected from moisture. For detailed information, please visit our page titledHow to Take Care of a Ney".

Playing the ney improves breath control and is also known to have been used for therapeutic purposes in various centers such as the Gevher Nesibe Darüşşifası in Kayseri, the Manisa Bimarhane, and the Sultan Bayezid II Hospital built by Mimar Sinan.

 Although there are no specific modes (makams) exclusive to the ney, certain makams such as Segâh, Çargâh, and Rast are relatively easier to adapt to the instrument.

Learning to play the ney depends on personal effort and abilities, but generally requires long-term practice.

Among the factors that affect the tone are the quality, diameter, and length of the reed.

When choosing an oil for lubricating the ney, a vegetable oil with low acidity, fine structure, and no residue (such as almond, sesame, or hazelnut oil) should be selected, and it must not be harmful to human health. For fragrance, natural scents that do not contain chemical substances (such as musk, rose oil, or lavender oil) may be added without any concern.

For a newly opened ney, the recommended soaking time in oil is 2–3 hours, while for ney instruments that have been in use for some time, 15–20 minutes is sufficient. Over time, this duration becomes a matter of experience.

The existing pitch holes on the ney are opened by burning or using appropriate drilling tools, ensuring precise tuning.

The ney is not made from a type of wood, but from a kind of reed known as kargı (Arundo donax).

Mold or fungal formation inside the ney can be removed by washing it with water at an appropriate temperature and then drying it. However, it should be noted that if an inexperienced person attempts to wash the ney, it may result in permanent damage to the instrument. 

The ney can be washed under certain conditions. However, it should be remembered that if someone without experience tries to wash the ney, it may result in permanent damage to the instrument. 

It is believed to have been used by the Sumerians as early as 5000 B.C. From this point, it can be said that it is not a Turkish instrument.

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