In this thread i will be posting a "how to" guide for arabic ney making.
First of all, i would like to let you know that i am an amateur ney maker and player and all of my knowledge related to this topic is from my own
experience through the years. I dont know what other makers do or what tools might be using, so any recommendation or comment would be highly
appreciated.
I would also like to mention that this page will contain information, some photos and videos by me, so please dont post them anywhere else. This is my
favorite forum since it started and i want to post here everything i know.
Ok, back to basics:
By saying arabic ney, it means that there is no baspare (top end mouthpiece that turkish neys have). The mouthpiece is simply the top end of the ney
filed as needed.
The tuning also has some differences from the turkish ney.
So, lets start from the raw material of the neys: ARUNDO DONAX REEDS. See the photos attached.
[file]12888[/file] [file]12905[/file] [file]12907[/file]
You may also read my article about arundo donax reeds on this link:
The key to make a good ney is to find the right piece of reed. The segments have to be more or less equal to each other. 6 to 9 centimetres is a good
distance between the nodes. The outer diameter has to be around 2 cm and 2,8 cm.
The photos are reeds that i have gathered last winter and they are dry enough to become neys... They are about 3 meters long.
Gathering is done in winter from January till March and the reed has to be grown enough. It doesnt matter if it still green but if there is too much
moisture in it, it will shrink.
[file]12917[/file]
Hatem_Afandi - 12-19-2009 at 11:33 AM
Hi Oudde,
Welcome aboard. I am sure that I am not the only one who is excited to see you posting good information about the nay.
I am curious about the location at which you pick the reeds.
Lake Kargi in Turkey is well know for being a source of excellent quality bamboo.
I am a nay enthusiast too, but I am not an expert.
I will try to post a couple of videos about nay making in both Turkey and Egypt.
very interesting ... I'll stay tuned Peyman - 12-19-2009 at 06:56 PM
I love the sound of Ney. Thanks for posting. Is it possible to also show how a pvc ney can be made? I might try to learn how to play one of those, if
I can make one. oudde - 12-20-2009 at 03:03 AM
Lake Kargi in Turkey is well know for being a source of excellent quality bamboo.
Bamboo and arundo donax reeds are completely different plants. Some wind instruments are made from bamboo, but neys are made from arundo donax reeds.
As far as i know, the best quality of reeds can be found at the syrian, egyptian and tunis desert, but all the area around the meditteranean is full
of arundo donax reeds.
I get my reeds from Greece and cyprus and the quality is ok.oudde - 12-20-2009 at 03:05 AM
I love the sound of Ney. Thanks for posting. Is it possible to also show how a pvc ney can be made? I might try to learn how to play one of those, if
I can make one.
Yes. The method is about the same for all pipes. But PVC pipes may be dangerous to your health. You can try aluminium pipe or even better, a silver
pipe for good resultsoudmaker - 12-20-2009 at 04:16 PM
Go to http://www.neyzen.com
You will find some detailed info about ney making in English. Peyman - 12-20-2009 at 06:21 PM
Thanks for pointing that out, Odde. I didn't know pvc neys are hazardous.
