The Mansur ney is the ney whose tonic is A, matching the 440 Hz A on the piano; in Turkish music it is known as "5 ses". With its deep, resonant voice it is one of the neys neyzens love most. But it is not everyone's first ney: it should be chosen according to your height and experience.
Mansur ney measurements and tonic
| Feature | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Key | A (La) | "5 ses" in Turkish music |
| Length | About 80 cm | Longer than the Kız ney |
| Ideal bore | 25–27 mm | Wide inner volume, deep sound |
| Suitable height | 1.67 m and above | Usually as a second ney |
Is the Mansur ney suitable for beginners?
I do not recommend the Mansur ney to beginners. I suggest choosing it after a year or two on the path, to work on tone and gain enthusiasm; it is most often bought as a second ney.
Height matters too. For someone 1.65 m tall, playing a Mansur is not easy; think of it like me trying to reach the holes of a Şah ney. With a lot of effort it may be possible, but starting with a ney that suits your height shortens the road.
Is the Mansur ney hard?
Players moving from the Kız ney to the Mansur first struggle with their fingers. On the Kız ney you cover the holes with your fingers closer together; on the Mansur you need to spread them a little more. Feeling awkward for a while is completely normal; first let your fingers get used to where the holes are.
Because all my command is on the Kız ney, I struggle a bit on the Mansur too. I need to play for at least 15–20 minutes to warm up. So it is not a difficulty as such, just a process of getting used to it.
Which ney for your height?
If you are just starting, choosing a ney that suits your height is very important. In our workshop we ask your height before recommending a ney:
| Your height | Ney we recommend | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1.55–1.60 m | Süpürde ney | You will have no trouble covering the holes. |
| Below 1.60 m | Yıldız ney (64–65 cm) | Joints and fingers need a short time to adapt. |
| 1.60 m and above | Kız ney (72 cm) | The most common choice for a first ney. |
| 1.67 m and above, 1–2 years' experience | Mansur ney (~80 cm) | Usually a second ney. |
We cover the holes not with our fingertips but with the middle joints of the fingers; that way the fingers can reach. If you are struggling a little, the answer is practice over time; the body stretches and adapts to the ney. For the differences between models, see The difference between Kız, Yıldız and Mansur neys and Which ney should I buy?.
The reed gains value with age
A newly opened Mansur ney sounds beautiful from the first day, but its true voice comes with time. The sound opens up with your breath, the reed darkens with your breath, and as it ages it becomes a precious ney to pass down to your children.
In the video you hear two Hatay Samandağ Mansur neys we prepared for a couple. One plays left hand on top, the other right hand on top, so the back holes of the two neys were opened leaning in different directions. I explain how this is done in How is the back hole of a ney opened?.
Before you play your new Mansur ney for the first time
Using the oil we send with your ney, remove the başpare (mouthpiece) and oil the ney well from the holes inward. Then start playing. Let the ney get used to you, and you to your ney.
You can browse our Mansur neys made from Antalya, Adana Ceyhan and Hatay Samandağ reed: Antalya · Adana Ceyhan · Hatay Samandağ.
Frequently asked questions
What key is the Mansur ney in?
A (La). It matches the 440 Hz A on the piano and is known as "5 ses" in Turkish music.
Should a Mansur ney be my first ney?
We do not recommend it. It is usually chosen as a second ney after a year or two of experience. For a first ney, a Kız ney, or a Yıldız or Süpürde ney depending on your height, is usually more suitable.
How long is a Mansur ney?
About 80 cm, with an ideal inner bore of 25–27 mm.
