The Mehter Band did not play only at times of war to influence the enemies. The Mehter Band beat the nevbet each day wherever the Sultan was; if on expedition then in front of his otağ, if not then at the appointed place at the palace after the afternoon prayer. Also, after the night prayer three times mehter was played and prayed for the Sultan; then again the nevbet was beaten to wake up the divan people for prayer. And at the same time, in Yedikule, Eyyub (today's Eyüp), Kasımpaşa, Galata, Tophane, Beşiktaş, Anadoluhisarı, Üsküdar and the Maiden's Tower mehter was played. The number of these mehters was around a thousand. At the fortresses outside the state centers at certain times the mehterhane again played. Besides, the grand viziers, amirals, viziers, beylerbeyi (governor generals) owned also mehter bands. Especially at times of expeditions the mehters did a great service and had a great impact on instilling the soldiers with ardour and unnerving the enemies.
	The Mehter Band Horsetail, Sign Of Rank Commander Of The Band Flags Zurna Musician Boru Musician Zil Musician Davul Musician Cevgen vocalist Kös Drum Nakkre drum vocalist
The mehterhane of the Emperor consisted of 12 folds, i.e. of each there were 12 instruments. The others were 7 folded or 9 folded, depending on the place of the playing. If the Sultan went on expedition the mehter band was doubled. The kös were present only in the mehterhane of the Sultan, the grand vizier and the other viziers had none. When the Sultan went on expedition the Sultan’s mehterhane stood under the sancak of the Sultanate and played there. During the expedition the law was that first the mehterhane of the Sultan played, if it was absent then the one of the serdar (general) played, which was followed by the pashas with three tuğs, i.e. the viziers, by the pashas with two tuğs (beylerbeyi). At the battle when the enemy approached, the voice of the mehter was increased and at the same time the drums were beaten and they cried out loud “Yekdir Allah Yek” (One is Allah One).