Tambur, which is also known as the Tanbur or
Tambura, is a stringed musical instrument that has a long
neck and a wooden body and known in the Turkish music industry. It
has a long history that dates back to the times of the Ottoman
Empire though the modern version has been traced to be inexistence
around 17 century AD. Since then it has continued to form part of
the Turkish basic quartet that describes the classical music.
Structurally, the instrument is made of wood with its ribs
made mainly of hardwood to yield that semi-spherical structure.
Decorations are inserted during the making of the ribs. Comprising
the soundboard is a plate that can either be single, two or even
three and resonates and has a small opening that makes it unique.
The neck is made of light wood and is approximated to be one meter
and the frets are divided in such a way to produce 36 intervals per
octave. Also a tortoise shell is used to make the plectrum and
generally a modern Tambur will have at least seven strings which can
be bowed or played with a plectrum in tuning
Tambur is common among the urbanites of the Turkish society
accruing its origin and validity from the royal class of the Ottoman
Empire whereby it gained exclusiveness in the Ottoman court
assemblies. It earned this much adore because of its capability of
producing a set of varied tones.
Tambur can be also be associated to have been used in the dances and
the chants of the religious gatherings of the Turkish community
bringing out a devotional feeling that accompanies every true form
of worship. Even in the Ottoman courts, there were a self reflection
atmosphere was created whenever the Tambur was
played.
This instrument, from Turkey, it also spread and gained appeal to
the neighbor of the old Turkey.