Persian Tar
The Persian tar is a long-necked plucked lute with three courses of strings played with a plectrum, distinguished by its double-chambered body and use of animal skin as soundboard. It is one of the most widely played Persian instruments for both classical and light music, and is used in ensembles as well as solo performance.
While the origins of the tar is uncertain, it is known that a similar double-chambered instrument called shidirghu has been mentioned in a treatise by the scholar Abdulqadir Maraghi (d. 1435). That instrument is considered a variant of the rawap, from which the Uyghur rawap is also descended. The tar, in its modern form, is first seen depicted in Persian miniature drawings in the late 18th century, at the same time as the emergence of the modern form of Persian classical music. In the 19th century, the tar was adapted in the Caucasus for use in the Azeri classical music mugham. This Caucasian tar has also become widespread in Central Asia since the 20th century.
The tar’s neck is made of walnut, and its body with mulberry wood, whose face is covered by a thin piece of sheep or goat skin. The three courses of strings consist of two strings each, made of steel, bronze and brass. It is played with an oblong brass plectrum partially covered by wax, to make it easier to hold.
