The nay is the reed flute of Arabic music. These fingerings include the quarter tones the maqamat are built from.
The Nay is non-transposing: the D (Dukah) nay sounds where it is written. This chart covers 13 notes, Db4 (half-flat) to C#5. Nay (D/Dukah) Hole Scheme: 6 front holes (H1 top to H6 bottom), 1 thumb hole (Th). All closed = D4. Note: Register 2 (D5-C#6) uses identical fingerings with an overblow. Register 3 (D6-F#6) uses identical fingerings with a strong overblow.
The chart
Every note with its finger holes. The nay has six front holes and a thumb hole.
Octave 4 · D4 to Db4 (half-flat) (11 fingerings)
D4
Tonic (Dukah).
All closed
Eb4 (half-flat)
Sikah ()سيكاه. Lip slightly down.
H1-H5 closed, H6 half, Th open
E4
Busaliq.
H1-H6 closed, Th open
F4
Jaharka.
H1-H5 closed, H6 open, Th closed
F#4
Hijaz / Rast 3rd.
H1-H5 closed, H6 open, Th open
G4
Nawa.
H1-H4 closed, H5-H6- Th open
Ab4 (half-flat)
Nahawand 6th degree.
H1-H3 closed, H4 half, H5-H6-Th open
A4
Husayni.
H1-H3 closed, H4-H6- Th open
Bb4 (half-flat)
Ajam variant ()عجم.
H1-H2 closed, H3 open, H4-H6 open, Th closed
B4
Ajam.
H1-H2 closed, H3-H6- Th open
Db4 (half-flat)
Saba ( )صبا2nd degree.
All closed, Th half
Octave 5 · C5 to C#5 (2 fingerings)
C5
Mahur.
H1 closed, H2-H6 open, Th closed
C#5
Mahur.
H1 closed, H2-H6-Th open
Questions
What are all the notes on the Nay?
This chart lists every note on the Nay from Db4 (half-flat) to C#5 — 13 fingerings across 2 octaves: octave 4 (11), octave 5 (2). Each note is shown with a diagram and the written-out fingering.
How do you read this chart?
Each card shows one written note, a diagram of what to press, and the same fingering written out underneath so it can be read aloud or copied.
How does the Nay transpose?
The Nay is non-transposing: the D (Dukah) nay sounds where it is written.
Alia Thabit Nay Fingering Chart (Credited to Dr. AJ Racy and Bassam Saba, Arabic Music Retreat).
Scribd D Nay Fingering Chart (Cross-verified).
MaqamWorld.com (Johnny Farraj) — Maqam degree verification. Mizmar (Egyptian) Verification Note: UNVERIFIED. No published academic fingering chart with quarter-tone data exists in English-language or Arabic-language academic sources for the Egyptian Mizmar. The instrument is primarily transmitted orally, and generating confident fingerings without a published source violates verification rules.
