Exotic Instruments For Authenticity And Style

Exotic instruments add some spice and flare to musical arrangements of many types and styles. Their incorporation can add authenticity to a piece. They help to create the vibe of a faraway time and place. They can create a sound different than any that can be made by a standard collection of instruments. Three such instruments are the oud, the saz and the hurdy gurdy.

The oud is typically found in Middle Eastern and North African music. It is a stringed instrument that is believed by some to have been invented by the Adam of the Bible’s grandson. Pictorial evidence that is over 5000 years old have been found and are on display in museums throughout the world.

Mesopotamian history is full of examples of the oud. Practically every ancient Middle Eastern or Mediterranean civilization has used it as part of their musical traditions. The ancient oud has evolved into the modern one in use today. It has regional variations but some features are constant. It has eleven strings and a fretted neck. It also has a signature bowl shaped body style that allows for heightened resonance.

The saz is also referred to as the baglama. Cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean, Central Asia and the Near East use it in their musical traditions. It is most often found in Turkey where it is the most common folk instrument.

The saz is a seven stringed instrument with three main parts. These are the bowl, the neck and the sounding board. The parts may be made of spruce, mulberry wood, juniper or beech.

The hurdy gurdy is known by several names, one of them is the wheel fiddle. It creates a sound similar to that of a bagpipe. This sound is made when a cranked wheel rubs against its strings. This rubbing makes a constant, even pitched sound. This instrument’s style varies by its region. There isn’t a standardized design. The two main body styles are the bowl and the conventional guitar.

European folk festivals often feature the hurdy gurdy. Its tradition in Eastern Europe is strong. Its centers of popularity can be found in Hungary, Belarus, Ukraine and Poland. The music is often accompanied by folk dances.

Horizons are expanded by the use of exotic instruments. They take musicians out of their comfort zone and allow them to create new and exciting variations and original pieces. They provide a means to learn about history. They are a strong influence from the past that can improve the musical future.

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