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The Saz Family

Bağlama Family

From the Cura to the Meydan Saz — a family of instruments sharing one root, set apart by size and tuning.

One family, many voices

From the same root.

The bağlama (Anatolian long-necked lute) is not a single instrument; it is the shared name of a whole family that differs in size, string layout and timbre. They all follow the same building logic: a carved or staved bowl (rib), a soundboard stretched across it, and a neck whose frets are tied on.

The difference between them lies mostly in proportion and tuning. A smaller rib brightens the sound, a larger rib deepens it; the length of the neck and the placement of the frets decide in which register the instrument speaks most comfortably.

Family Members

Of the same lineage

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Cura

The smallest member of the family. With its little rib and short neck it gives the brightest, highest voice. The word "Cura" comes from Persian; it means "drop".

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Kopuz

It departs from the Cura family through a different string sensitivity and action, its measurements, proportions, change of form and playing technique. With certain technical alterations it can evolve toward the dede sazları or the nesimi cura.

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Short-Neck Bağlama

The most widely known member of the family. It is a form that spread after the 1980s with the migration from village to city.

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Tambura (Long-Neck Bağlama)

The central pillar and main form of the bağlama family. With small touches it can be evolved into any other form. It is the most demanding instrument to bring to a satisfying tone and string response. It allows playing in many different tunings.

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Çöğür (Abdal Saz)

Though different terms are used for it across Anatolia, in the words of the late Gazimihal it refers to the 45–48 cm rib sizes that fall between the Tambura and the Divan Saz. It holds an important and singular place in the melodies of Central Anatolia.

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Divan Saz

The largest rib, the deepest voice. It is tuned an octave below the bağlama.

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Meydan Saz

The largest of the bağlama family. As its name ("public square") suggests, it is built at rib sizes above 52 cm to carry to large gatherings.

Every saz carries the voice of the family it belongs to; yet no two are ever the same.

— Tahtakılıç
Culture

Where does the name bağlama come from?

"Bağlama" is, as the name itself tells us, a word derived from the verb meaning "to tie the strings". A word born from such a plain root in fact describes a deeply layered instrument.

One instrument, many names

Across Anatolia this instrument has been given many distinct names. It is an instrument that varies from region to region according to its dimensions and intended use. Though they come from the same family, each one has its own size and its own voice.

What gives rise to the variety

Building techniques shifted according to the technical means and skill of the makers. This led to different outcomes; different sensitivities and timbres were born. For us, every saz is a single example of this diversity — no two are ever the same.