Tar (Azerbaijani instrument)

For other uses, see Tar (instrument) and Tar (disambiguation).

Craftsmanship and performance art of the Tar, a long-necked string musical instrument
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Azerbaijani tar performer Meshadi Jamil Amirov
Country	Azerbaijan
Reference	671
Region	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	2012 (7th session)

Craftsmanship and performance of the tar and the skills related to this tradition play a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of Azerbaijanis. The Tar (Persian: تار‎‎) is a long-necked plucked lute, traditionally crafted and performed in communities throughout Azerbaijan and Iran. Tar features alone or with other instruments in numerous traditional musical styles. It also considered by many to be the country’s leading musical instrument.

In 2012 art of Azerbaijani craftsmanship and performance art of the tar was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.^[1]

Craftsmanship

Tar makers transmit their skills to apprentices, often within the family. Craftsmanship begins with careful selection of materials for the instrument: mulberry wood for the body, nut wood for the neck, and pear wood for the tuning pegs. Using various tools, crafters create a hollow body in the form of a figure eight, which is then covered with the thin pericardium of an ox. The fretted neck is affixed, metal strings are added and the body is inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Performing

Azerbaijani Tar

Performers hold the instrument horizontally against the chest and pluck the strings with a plectrum, while using trills and a variety of techniques and strokes to add colour. Tar performance has an essential place in weddings and different social gatherings, festive events and public concerts. Players transmit their skills to young people within their community by word of mouth and demonstration, and at educational musical institutions.

History

Trio of mugham performers (tar performer sits in the center). Baku, 1912

In the second half of the 19th century in Azerbaijan tar undergone some renovation. One of the greatest musicians - performers on container Mirza Sadiq Asad (1846-1902) introduced changes in traditional tar structure and form, increasing the number of its strings and bringing them up to 11. He, in addition, has changed the way the game on the container, raising tool with performer knees to his chest.^[2]

New flowering of playing on the container begins in the 20th century. For example, the tar took the lead in the first Sheet orchestra of folk musical instruments, created in 1931 on the initiative of Uzeyir Hajibeyov and Muslim Magomayev largest Azerbaijani composers and public figures of the first half of the 20th century. School of sheet music playing on national instruments based Uzeyir Hajibeyov, further expanded the technical and artistic possibilities of the packaging.^[2]

In Azerbaijan music tar was used primarily as a lead instrument in the so-called mugham trio of singers (singer), which also includes kamancha and daf. It should be noted that the tar, as a part of mugham trio and as a solo, to date, continues to play a crucial role in the art of mugam, traditional and popular in Azerbaijan.^[2]

Sources

External links

Craftsmanship and performance art of the Tar, a long-necked string musical instrument

UNESCO Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity: music

Aka polyphony Albanian folk iso-polyphony Angklung Aqyn Arabic maqam Arirang Ashik Ashiqs of Azerbaijan Azerbaijani tar Baul music Bećarac Bigwala Biyelgee Bistritsa Babi Dainichido Bugaku Beijing opera Candombe Cante Alentejano Cantonese opera Cantu a tenore Ca trù Cremona violins Doina Duduk Eshuva Fado Frevo Fujara Gagaku Gagok Garifuna music Georgian vocal polyphony Gong culture Guqin Gwoka Hua'er Hudhud chants Istrian scale Kgal Laox Khuumii Klapa Koodiyattam Khorasan Bakhshi music Kumi Odori Kunqu Lhamo Long song Maloya Maqam al-iraqi Meshrep Morin khuur Mugham Muqam Nanyin Nhã nhạc Ojkanje singing Pansori Pirekua Quan họ Radif Sama Samba de roda Seto Leelo Shashmaqam Silbo Gomero Slovácko Verbuňk Song of Sana'a Sosso Bala Sutartinės Táncház The Song of the Sibyl Tumba francesa Vallenato Vedic chant Wayang kulit Xi'an guyue Xoan singing

Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity: Azerbaijan

Inscribed in 2008	Mugham

Inscribed in 2009	Novruz in Azerbaijan Azerbaijani Ashiq

Inscribed in 2010	Traditional art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving

Inscribed in 2012	Craftsmanship and performance art of the Tar

Inscribed in 2013	Chovqan, a traditional Karabakh horse-riding game

Inscribed in 2014	Traditional art and symbolism of Kelaghayi, making and wearing women’s silk headscarves

Inscribed in 2015	Copper craftsmanship of Lahij

Inscribed in 2016	Flatbread making and sharing culture: Lavash, Katyrma, Jupka, Yufka

Azerbaijani musical instruments

String instruments	Bowed instruments Chagane Kamancheh Plucked instruments Kanun Chang Çeng Ud Saz Komuz Shahrud Rud Mugni Tar (Azerbaijani instrument) Choghur Nuzhe Struck instruments Santur

Woodwind instruments	Zurna Tulum Balaban Kaval Tütek Ney Miskal

Percussion instruments	Auxiliary Percussion Bendir Boyuk nagara Cura nagara Daf Davul Dümbek Naqareh Kus Nagara Spoon Laggutu Qoltuq nagara

See also	Azerbaijani Music Mugham

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