Ney Lessons
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Ney Lessons - 5 -
Sharp and Natural Concepts in Turkish Music
In this lesson, we will focus on the concept of sharp and examine the A and C sharp notes.
Sharp: It is a sign that raises a note by a semitone (half step), making it higher in pitch.
Sharp sign:
It is represented by this symbol.
The order of sharps on the staff is: F, C, G, D, A, E, B.
Order of sharp signs:
The sharp sign was first used around the year 1300.
Sharp signs used in Turkish Music:
| Interval Name | Comma Value | Sharp Sign | Symbol |
| Comma | 1 |  |
F |
| Bakiye | 4 |  |
B |
| Small Mücennep | 5 |  |
S |
| Large Mücennep | 8 |  |
K |
| Tanini | 9 |  |
T |
| Augmented Second | 12-13 | - | A |
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By the way, although not directly related to this topic, you see the concept of "comma value" in the table above.
Comma: It is a very small interval equal to one-ninth of a whole tone.
We will study the concept of comma in more detail in later lessons.
Natural (Bekar):
The natural sign cancels any sharp or flat applied to a note and returns it to its original pitch (do, re, mi, etc.).
Natural sign:
It is represented by this symbol.
C Sharp and A Sharp Notes
C SHARP NOTE:
In Classical Turkish Music, this note is called NİM HİCAZ.
As you see on the staff, the C sharp note is located in the third space:
Finger Positions:
RIGHT HAND: Thumb and Index Finger.
LEFT HAND: Middle Finger.
Please examine the image below:
Video:
A SHARP NOTE:
In Classical Turkish Music, this note is called KÜRDİ.
As you see on the staff, the A sharp note is located in the second space:
Finger Positions:
RIGHT HAND: Thumb, Index Finger, Middle Finger, and Ring Finger.
LEFT HAND: Index Finger.
Please examine the image below:
A Sharp Position:
Video:
After learning these notes, we can begin the following exercises:
Whole Note Exercise
Metronome: 80
Video:
To increase our speed, let us practice with half notes:
Half Note Exercise
Metronome: 80
Video:
We increase the tempo further and continue with quarter note exercises:
Quarter Note Exercise
Metronome: 70
In this exercise, since there is no comma mark, we can take a breath at any note we wish.
Video:
Eighth Note Exercise
Now we play at a faster tempo and practice eighth note studies.
Metronome: 70
In this exercise, since there is no comma mark, we can take a breath at any note we wish.
Video:
Small Exercises 1:
Metronome: 70
Video:
Important Note: A sharp (A♯) and B flat (B♭) are the same pitch.
In the example below, we will study B flat using the same position as A sharp.
Small Exercises 2:
Metronome: 70
In this exercise, since there is no comma mark, we can take a breath at any note we wish.
Video:
Note: If a sharp or flat appears in the key signature, it applies throughout the entire piece.
If it appears within a measure, it is only valid for that measure.
Before moving to the next lesson, we should have completed the following steps:
- We have mastered the ney holding position and now know the correct playing posture.
- We are able to produce the Sol note and sustain it for a long duration.
- We have memorized the positions of Re, C#, Do, Si, A#, La and Sol notes on the ney.
- We have learned whole, half, quarter and eighth note values and their durations.
After completing these steps, we can proceed to Lesson 6.
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