How the classical kemençe makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the classical kemençe 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.
Players shape its sound through technique and materials; the resonating body filters the raw vibration, boosting some harmonics and damping others.
From Wikipedia
The classical kemenche (Turkish: Klasik kemençe), Armudî kemençe ('pear-shaped kemenche') or Politiki lyra (Greek: πολίτικη λύρα, 'Constantinopolitan lyre', similarly Turkish: İstanbul kemençesi, lit. 'Kemenche of Istanbul') is a pear-shaped bowed instrument with three strings that derives from the medieval Greek Byzantine lyre.
It was mainly used by Greek immigrants from Asia Minor and in classical Ottoman music. The instrument was also used earlier for popular music, such as early "Smyrna-Style" rebetiko and continues to be played in the present day. It has become the main bowed instrument of Ottoman classical music since the mid 19th century.
Other lutes
Frequently asked questions
What does a classical kemençe 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 classical kemençe?
It is classified as lutes (Hornbostel–Sachs 321.321-71).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q10259047 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Classical kemençe – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Metin Sezgin – CC BY 2.5