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Tuning the Ney, continued Continuing up the scale, the upper set of fingerholes produce Çargah (C), Nim Hicaz/Hicaz (C-sharp), and Neva (D). In the lower register, a half-holed thumbhole produces Kaba Nim Hisar/Kaba Hisar (E-flat). Opened completely, the thumbhole sounds Aşiran (E). To produce Acemaşiran (F) and lrak/Geveşt (F-sharp), the embouchure must be drawn away from the instrument. Turkish music most often employs an F-sharp which is some fifteen cents flatter than a western equivalent, and this is fine, since the ney tends to shade this note flat. As the finger chart demonstrates, the thumb is used in this manner only for the lowest octave of the instrument. The placement of the fingerholes of the ney suit the intonation of Turkish music. With practice in playing, one learns to appreciate that the entire instrument is constructed in this manner. Why is the throat restricted by that first node? The ney thereby facilitates glissando, an essential component of Turkish music. The price one pays for this is an increased noise component, which is fine, since that is desirable in most Turkish instruments. The music abounds with instruments whose strings are impossibly thin, which buzz and scratch. Tonal purity is not a desirable quality in the Turkish musical aesthetic. Variations in bore diameter, taper, and internal roughness all contribute to making each instrument unique. Once the holes are cut they may be moved. The finger chart portrays lines between the first and second overtone D's. The instrument should be cut progressively shorter very gradually so that these notes are the same. After this, the first fingerhole may be plugged and moved so that the A's match. Do not feel downcast if you decide the instrument's holes need relocating. Plugged fingerholes are not a sign of an inferior instrument, but are rather the mark of a player who is discriminating enough to get his/her instrument in tune. As the ney is played in successively higher overtones, it will become progressively out of tune one way or another. There is no help for this, since there is no cork or other adjustable mechanism as there is on a Western flute. I have not included the fourth overtone, which would include the notes E to G, since the fingering would vary as the player tries to compensate to keep the instrument in tune. Oiling After fine-tuning the ney, soak it in oil for several days. The ney will need re-oiling continually. This smoothes out the bore and prevents cracking. The response of the instrument is remarkably improved after oiling. Some oils, such as grapeseed, become noticeably gummy. They polymerize with age. Do not use musical instrument bore oil or olive oil. I use peanut oil, since it does not turn rancid or become sticky. Almond oil also works well. Use only vegetable oils. Anthony Tammer |