Kanun

Ud

Kanun (Sîtar-Like Musical Instrument)

About 200 metal pegs are fitted on the pegging table which serve as frets and these are, generally, made of silver alpaca and brass. The pegs should adequately be levelled and polished, otherwise, they, at a short time, may wear and cut the strings. Catgut strings were replaced by nylon ones nowadays. 72 to 75 strings are fitted on Kanun. Thickness of strings range from 0,60 mm high tone as low as to 1.20 mm. in low tone.

Roughly a 441 kg. force tension is loaded on the total 75 strings of Kanun. Because of this tension, strings create a pressure of 13,5 kg. on the hide by way of bridges. This pressure, however, is not on the total surface but it is local. There happens no pressure on the sides though.

Kanun which is placed on the knees, is played by means plectrums, "Baga", made of sea-turtoise bone fitted to the special thimbles worn on the fore-finger tips of both the hands. The one who plays Kanun is called a "Kanunî". There is a sound range of 3,5 octave on Kanun. The highest pitch is SOL (RE) 1173,37 frequency.

Kanun is widely practiced and a very popular instrument. It produces sounds like that of an Harp.

Ud

Short-necked lute found throughout the Middle East. With a history dating from the 7th century, the `ud is the direct ancestor of the European lute in both name (the word "lute" comes from "al-`ud," i.e., the `ud) and general shape. The main body of the instrument has a rounded back and a face that is flat and oblong. Within this general norm, instrument makers have experimented with different shapes and proportions throughout the 20th century. The neck is unfretted.

The `ud is fitted with 5 pairs of strings, tuned GG, AA, D, G, and c; the GG strings are alternatively tuned by some to FF or EE. In addition, it is common to add a 6th string, either a pair tuned to f or a single low string tuned to CC or DD. In the past, the strings were of silk and gut; now the higher strings are nylon, the lower are wound metal with a silk core. Also in the past, the plectrum for striking the strings, held in the right hand, was fashioned from an eagle feather, but it is now commonly of buffalo horn or plastic.

While traditionally considered the principal instrument in the Midle east and still commonplace in the present day, the `ud has lost its place in many present-day performance ensembles. It remains an important instrument for singers who wish to accompany themselves on the `ud, for ensembles which seek to preserve music from the first half of the 20th century and earlier, for composers who commonly compose on this instrument, for music theorists, and for students at the many institutes of music education.

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