No musical instrument in Turkey holds the same level of affection, connection, and historical significance as the “saz.” This instrument, inherited by the Turks from their Ottoman ancestors, is said to have origins in Central Asia, with a history stretching back over 2,000 years. Since its introduction, the saz has maintained a prominent position in both classical and modern Turkish music. There is some debate among historians about its exact origins and inventor, but it is widely believed to be of Turkish origin, with some attributing it to Greece. Many agree that it has been present in Eastern countries, such as Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, where it was introduced by the Kurds.
The term “saz” refers to a family of stringed instruments, including the long-necked oud used in Ottoman classical music, Turkish folk music, Azerbaijani music, Kurdish, Assyrian, and Armenian music, as well as parts of Syria, Iraq, and the Balkans.
The saz is a wooden string instrument resembling the oud, but with a smaller body and a longer neck. It is shared by various cultures throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, the Near East, and Central Asia. It is sometimes referred to as “bağlama,” a Persian term meaning “set” or “group.”
Recently, instruments similar to the bağlama have been found in Sumerian and Hittite archaeological excavations in the Anatolian region of Turkey, predating contemporary times. This has led some critics and musicians to question the accuracy of the claim that the Ottomans brought it from Central Asia, stating that it is “not precise or accurate.”
The saz occupies an essential place among the Kurds, who reside in various regions of Turkey. The word “saz” in Kurdish means “melody” or “tune,” and no Kurdish home is without a saz or what they call “tanbur.”
Although the instrument has spread to ancient civilizations like the Assyrian and Egyptian, the Turks have added their own contributions and preserved it, making it an important part of their musical education.
One of the most distinctive features of the saz is its unique shape, which gives the player a striking appearance. Its long neck allows the player to move their hand along a single string, producing a sound that the oud cannot replicate, with a stronger tone, which makes it essential in many musical compositions.
The saz was once found in some Arab countries, especially near the Turkish-Syrian border, but due to current conditions in Syria, Turkey is now the main location for purchasing one.
Historically, Arabs referred to it as the “tanbur” or “buzuq,” and it is considered part of the Kurdish musical tradition in Syria and Lebanon. Among the most notable musicians associated with it are Ali Maala al-Darkashli and Syrian player Yaarab Jbeil. Music historians believe the buzuq belongs to the same family as the oud, similar to the bağlama and tanbur, as they share design features and reliance on strings. Some artists suggest that the saz could be considered a development of the oud.
The saz has spread to various countries worldwide, including Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria. Syrian music books mention an ancient instrument similar to the oud, which was called “Qanour” and is thought to be referring to the saz.
In Arabic, the saz is also well-known as the “tanbur,” which is the current term for the “buzuq” and forms a musical link between the Arabic oud and Turkish saz.
Describing the saz in Arabic:
The “tanbur” is similar to the oud in sound production, using plucking and finger tapping. The body of the tanbur, considered the soundbox, is small, like a mandolin, and its neck is slightly under a meter in length. The strings, called “dastan,” are placed on the neck to define the pitch. There are two main types of tanbur: “Mizani” or “Khorasani” and “Baghdadi,” each with distinct features. The Baghdadi tanbur has 16 “dastans,” making its string distances narrow and suitable for specific melodies, such as the Baghdadi and Ibrahimic modes.
On the other hand, the Mizani tanbur, regarded as more complete, has 30 “dastans” and can perform a wide range of melodies, even matching instruments like the qanun and piano. It typically has only two strings, G and C, which are capable of playing all types of tunes and melodies.
In some cases, three strings are placed on the tanbur, and this instrument has had skilled players throughout history. In the Abbasid era, the famous “Abida al-Tanbouriya” was a beautiful singer, poet, and eloquent conversationalist who played the tanbur, and she was associated with famous musicians like Ishaq al-Mosuli.
Other well-known tanbur musicians include Abu Hashisha, Mukharq, and Al-Masdud. In the early 20th century, Turkish tanbur player Cemil Bey Tanbouri gained international fame in both the Turkish and Arab worlds.