How the Balkan tambura makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the Balkan tambura belongs to the lutes: strings run parallel to a soundboard and along a neck – the family of the guitar, violin, sitar and oud.
More broadly it is one of the chordophones (string instruments), where sound comes from vibrating strings, amplified by a resonating body.
Press play above and watch the spectrum: the evenly spaced peaks are harmonics, and their relative strength is what gives the instrument its character.
From Wikipedia
The balkan tambura, balkan tamburası or tambura is a stringed instrument that is played as a folk instrument in Thrace and Balkans namely in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Serbia (especially in Vojvodina region), Montenegro and Turkey. It has doubled steel strings and is played with a plectrum, similar to mandolin and bağlama.
Other lutes
More instruments from Bulgaria
Frequently asked questions
What does the Balkan tambura sound like?
As one of the lutes, its sound comes from the way strings run parallel to a soundboard and along a neck.
What type of instrument is the Balkan tambura?
It is classified as lutes (Hornbostel–Sachs 321.322).
Where does the Balkan tambura come from?
The Balkan tambura originates from Bulgaria and Macedonia.
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q508805 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Balkan tambura – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Arent – CC BY-SA 4.0