Download Link - Ä°SMEK

many more countries, the reed has become ney at this
stage and there will be no further processes. But, Turkish
culture and aesthetics add a piece called ‘parazvane’ to
ney. Actually parazvane is made up of two pieces, two
bracelets added to each end of the ney. The parazvane
has function in addition to its aesthetic appeal. It protects
the ney from cracking and from shocks. It is especially preferred
in Anatolia. It’s sure that Suleyman Erguner was using
the most aesthetic parazvane.
He says, “I used to make the parazvane myself, but now
my friend who makes ‘başpare’ makes them.” Then he
starts to tell about the importance of parazvane and how
they are made. “A metallic ribbon is joined by a thin layer
of weld and polished lightly. I use silver, usually German
silver. Or, I buy silver from Grand Bazaar. Silver is used in
sections in touch with the mouth, so what’s the difference
from a spoon Some people use brass or even plastics,
but it isn’t nice in visual terms and it doesn’t leave a good
taste in the mouth.”
The Favorite Part of Ney is Başpare
Parazvane is not the only addition that Anatolian aesthetics
concerns have added to ney. Another accessory
not found in any other country, but Turkiye is Başpare.
“I use ‘başpare’s made of water buffalo horns, both on
my own neys and on the neys I’ve made for my students.
Why water buffalos Because the most aesthetic
and the most qualified ones are made of them. I have a
handyman Bulent Usta in kapalıçarşı (closed bazaar), who
makes my ‘başpare’s. My father Ulvi Erguner taught him
how to make them.” Suleyman Erguder approaches this
craftsmanship with a different point of view: “My father
knew well how to make başpare, but to know something
doesn’t mean that it has to be your profession. Another
thing is that making ‘başpare’s is a very difficult job. Water
buffalo horn is much harder even harder than marble.
Two knives are worn out while making out the form of
başpare. Many people make their living by this job, so I
don’t have to do everything by myself. I’m concerned with
only the reed, I’m fond of it.”
As Ney Is Blown, It Is Burnt; As It Is Burnt, It Gets Mature.
When the başpare is implemented, ney is now ready to be
blown. As it is blown it is burnt. As it is blown, it becomes
a little darker, a maturity in the ney is observed. “Neys
from especially Hatay region burn as they are blown and
they give out a deeper and a more mature sound.” says
Suleyman Erguner and shows us two of his trust neys.
One of them belongs to Kazasker (a military judge) Mustafa
Izzet Efendi. It has passed from hand to hand for one
hundred fifty years, and we wonder whose breaths it has
witnessed. On one of its nodes, it is inscribed: “Ya Hazreti
Mevlana” (Oh, mighty Mevlana). The other ney belongs
to grandfather Suleyman Erguner. It has passed on to the
father Ulvi Erguner, and from him, to the grandson Suleyman
Erguder... He blows a piece for us. He blows as if
he is blowing the ancient Kazasker’s breath. We wonder
how these neys have stayed so intact after so much time
has passed through them. He invites us beside the pool of
almond oil at one part of his workshop and keeps telling.
Mutual Service Praised
“In order to have a long life, the ney wants to be served
because it serves human being”, says he and continues,
“For their maintenance, almond oil is used.” When the
time for their maintenance comes, I put them in this pool
and let them stay there one or two days. When I take them
out of the pool, I put them perpendicularly in a container. I
put them in oil once a month in summer because they get
dried up more quickly in hot weather. If they get dried up,
they get cracks. But, you shouldn’t keep them too long in
oil because they should not absorb the oil too much.
He is continuing to perform music with self-produced
handmade neys, accompanied by his students at his
workshop at Çamlıca. He is not satisfied with only this
occupation, He is continuing the ney performances on
Tuesdays, an inheritance from his grandfather. There is no
exaggeration in saying that he is ‘opening’ the ney with
one hand, and he is blowing ney, with the other.
153