Ney flutes are usually damaged not because they were badly made but because they were stored or oiled the wrong way. Reed is a living material; it absorbs moisture, position and scent. In this article I explain why a ney goes mouldy, why it bends and which oil you should use.
Why does a ney go mouldy?
After playing, moisture stays inside the ney. If you put the damp ney straight into its case and close it, it will go mouldy and over time the reed will rot. After playing, leave the ends of the ney open and let the moisture inside escape.
The leather case and protector are for carrying the ney to lessons, to school or out of town. They are not for storing it at home.
How do you clean a mouldy ney?
If you see white or green inside the ney, clean it once with lukewarm water, without harming the sound box, and let the ney dry on its own. Oil it once the reed has dried. If the mould has soaked into the reed or the smell will not go, send us a photo of your ney first.
Why does a ney bend?
Never leave your ney on a chair. When you put it on a table, the başpare (mouthpiece) should stick out and the whole body should rest on the table. Reed is a living material; if it stays in the wrong position for a long time, it bends.
Which oil should you use on a ney?
A ney is oiled with pure sesame oil. Pure hazelnut or almond oil can also be used. What matters is that the oil is pure and cold-pressed; genuine almond oil is hard to find, so do not trust every shop or pharmacy.
- Suitable: pure sesame oil, genuine almond oil, genuine hazelnut oil.
- Not suitable: olive oil (its acidity is high) and sunflower oil.
In our workshop we use pure sesame oil that we have pressed for us every year, and we include a dropper bottle with our neys. Oil is applied sparingly through the holes and the sound box. How often? Depending on the condition of the reed, when it has dried out. For step-by-step instructions, see How to care for a ney.
Never pour fragrance or perfume inside a ney
Never pour essences, rose oil or perfume from the shops into a ney. Chemical and industrial scents smell nice at first, then soak into the reed and make the ney unusable. There is no cure for that.
Before sending out our neys, I rub alcohol-free amber scent on my palm and wipe only the outside of the ney with it. Musk and amber are scents loved in Mevlevi culture. Scent goes only on the outside; nothing is ever dripped inside.
Caring for the parazvanes
It is normal for the parazvanes (the metal rings) to oxidise over time. Clean them lightly with fine 180-grit sandpaper, apply a polishing cream as you would a hand cream, let it dry a little and buff with a dry cloth.
In short
- Leave the ends of the ney open after playing.
- Do not use the case for storage at home.
- Do not leave the ney on a chair; on a table, keep the başpare sticking out.
- Use pure sesame oil; never olive oil or fragrance.
- Apply scent only to the outside of the ney.
We have put everything you need for care into one pack: pure sesame oil and care kit. For carrying, see our ney bags and accessories.
Frequently asked questions
Can I oil a ney with olive oil?
No. Olive oil is too acidic. Use pure sesame oil, or genuine almond or hazelnut oil.
Should a ney be kept in its case?
The case is for carrying, not for storage at home. Above all, do not shut a damp ney in its case right after playing; it will go mouldy.
Can I put scent inside the ney?
Never. Essences and perfume make a ney unusable. Scent goes only on the outside, using a natural scent such as alcohol-free amber.
How do you clean a ney?
The inside of a ney that is played regularly is not cleaned; a dark inside shows it is being played. If you see signs of mould, clean it once with lukewarm water, let it dry on its own, then oil it.
