Tanbour is a sacred lute family instrument with spiritual and mystic sound characteristics. Different versions of Tanbour are played in countries such as Iran, India, China, Turkey, Japan, Afghanistan, Greece, etc.
Tanbour is one of the most ancient instruments which has deep and valuable roots in human history and culture and is considered a precious heritage in the Kurdish community as well.
In the Kurdish community, “Yaresan”s play not for Tanbour, but they consider it as a spiritual requirement to deliver their verses and poems to the audience.
Sufis play Tanbour to accompany their poems and verses – called Kalaam. Tanbour has some ancient melodies – called Moqam – which accompany those Kalaams(verses).
Tanbour is played with all five right fingers’ strum and the gesture is in unique harmony with the music. Tanbour has fantastic visual beauties when being performed.
The most known technique for playing Tanbour is called “Shor”, which is a continuous movement of fingers to play a tremolo.
Tanbour components:
Echo box: is made with two techniques: one piece – hand carved and ribbed – usually 7-9 ribs. Tanbour echo bowl is usually made of Mulberry wood, while in professional Tanbours, Walnut and some rare-to-find woods are also used.
Top body: the whole top body is always with Mulberry.
Neck or Fretboard: The fretboard is made of Walnut wood, but other woods might be used as well. Tanbour has usually 14-15 frets.
Strings: Tanbour has only 3 strings, 0.2mm Stainless steel (strings #1 and #2), 0.2mm bronze(string #3).
Pegs: There are three pegs at the top of the fretboard, where the peg holes are placed.
