Bağlama

Turkish people music is a stringed instrument commonly used and typically consisting of 7 to 9 strings, played with the aid of mizrap. Its body, made of wood, extends the sound range up to two octaves. Since the past era, the bağlama has been among the most widely used instrument instruments by the Turks. Therefore, despite regional differences in the areas where Turks live, it is also known as the most significant important vehicle for transmitting cultural values.

Parts of the Bağlama

The bağlama instrument consists of several distinct parts, each with its own specific name. These parts are listed below.

• Body (Tekne)
• Pegs and Tuning Pegs
• Soundboard and Soundboard Cover
• Neck (Fretboard)
• Frets
• Pegs
• Upper Nut
• Lower Nut
• String Bridge (Tarak)
• Strings

A visual showing the parts of the bağlama (generated by artificial intelligence).

• Body: Also known as tekne, it has a pear-shaped structure. It is traditionally carved from mulberry wood, which is especially favored in bağlama construction.

• Soundboard: Attached on top of the body, it is made from woods with dense grain. Ladin and red pine are particularly preferred.

• Neck: The section of the bağlama where the frets are mounted. It is made from hard woods.

• Frets: Metal nails attached to the neck to determine the positions of musical notes. Their number varies depending on the type of bağlama, ranging from 7 to 30.

• Pegs: A wooden piece placed at the upper end of the neck. The strings, which originate from the lower nut, are tied to these pegs. This part is also used for tuning.

• Upper Nut: This component ensures that the strings coming from the pegs are positioned at regular intervals along the neck.

• Lower Nut: This part distributes the strings coming from the neck evenly across the body.

• String Bridge: This part refers to the hard wooden piece on which the strings are anchored to the body. It is used to position the strings on the soundboard.

• Strings: One of the components that have evolved over time. In earlier periods, strings were made from horsehair or gut, but today they are made from metal, specifically steel. They play a crucial role in producing the bağlama’s sound.

A bağlama (generated by artificial intelligence).

Types of Bağlama

The bağlama is today a widely used instrument across many fields and is recognized for its compelling sound. It has been classified into various groups with distinct definitions. The types belonging to the bağlama family are listed below.

• Meydan sazı
• Divan sazı
• Çöğür
• Bağlama
• Tambura
• Âşık sazı
• Cura

Meydan Sazı

It is known as the largest stringed instrument in our culture. It is said to have derived its name from being played in open public spaces. Due to its 12 strings, it is also referred to in some regions as the 12-stringed instrument. The neck typically has between 32 and 33 frets. Its strings start at a minimum thickness of gauge 35. Its average length is approximately 110 cm.

Divan Sazı

In size, the divan sazı is slightly shorter than the meydan sazı. It typically has 7 to 9 strings. It is said to have derived its name from being played in the gatherings of poets and scholars. The divan sazı has been used in folk music since ancient times and is known for its powerful tone.

Çöğür Sazı

This type of instrument is generally played by musicians in the Toros region. Due to historical evolution, the number of strings varies between 6 and 9. This instrument is commonly used in religious ceremonies and semail gatherings. Çöğür has become an integral part of folk literature due to its association with poetry recited with instrumental accompaniment. Especially during the 17th and 18th centuries, most folk poets were known as çöğür poets.

Bağlama

Among Turkish communities, the bağlama is one of the most widely used instruments after the kopuz. Due to the transformations it has undergone, it is also referred to within the bağlama family as the standard saz. It acquired its name from the divan, and through significant development, became the most commonly used instrument in its family. It is recognized as the fundamental instrument, typically featuring between 17 and 24 frets. It is constructed using various types of wood. Bağlama bodies made from hard woods are preferred because they produce a richer, fuller tone. In this context, especially oak, walnut, and gürgen wood are recommended. In Turkish folk music, the bağlama is used as an accompanying instrument for folk songs in many regions, and serious importance is given to bağlama education in Türkiye. This has enabled the emergence of bağlama masters in various regions and the development of bağlama culture across Türkiye.

Tambura

The tambura has a higher pitch compared to other instruments in the family. It is approximately one octave higher than the divan sazı and four octaves higher than the standard bağlama. It is generally played with a bow or tezene. It is slightly shorter than the bağlama and consists of six strings arranged in three pairs.

Âşık Sazı

As its name suggests, it is an instrument played by âşıks. Compared to other types within the bağlama family, it has a finer, more delicate tone. It is said to have derived its name from the folk minstrels, known as âşıks, who frequently use it.

Cura

The cura, part of the bağlama family, is known as the smallest instrument in the group. It typically has two or three strings and is generally played with a tezene. It is also played by ozans in Anatolia and is classified as a Yörük instrument. Its construction continues with a maximum of six strings.

A musician playing the bağlama (generated by artificial intelligence).

Educational Methods Used in Bağlama Instruction

There are two distinct types of bağlama education, differing in their methods of delivery.

Traditional Bağlama Education

One of the most widely used methods among the public is traditional education, which relies on established customs. This method develops a master-apprentice relationship with the goal of transmitting the skill of playing the bağlama.

Methodological Bağlama Education

To better explain this method, it is necessary to understand how it is described in the context of instrumental instruction. A method is defined as a structured and systematic book designed to facilitate the development of art and the acquisition of instrumental skills. It is also described as a collection of instructional materials and musical examples that progress from beginner to advanced levels, following a simple-to-complex approach.