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GENERAL INFORMATIONS: The string instrumets,
which were found in alarge region in the
Atiquity, principally in Central Asi, hold an
important place in Organographic researches. The
question of whether the spring instruments have
spread from the Mediterranean and Asia Minor
towards Inner Asia, or vice-versa is still being
debated. In our opinion, the string instruments
having stem so far back in history as to cover
the Antiquity both around the Mediterranean and
also in Inner Asia Africa.
The
early examples of string instruments are seen in
Central Asia, in Minor (Near East), in Egypt
during the time of the Phaoahs, and in
Mesopotamian and Hittite civilizations in
various sizes and shapes. These are instruments
with small bodies and long stems while not
having a volume so large as that of an "Ud" .
The length of their stem is often exaggaratingly
great. Since in those times, string could not
even be made out of silk or rice, let alonemetal,
it is known that certain local plants were
twined and used as string in these instruments.
Such resistant plants are also thought to have
been used as strings in the harps. As the harp
was transformed in time from a position whereby
its sound producing elements used as strings
were perpendicular to the body and stem to a
position. Whereby the arm and the strings were
paralled to each other, various sounds were now
being produced by adjusting the lengths of the
strings by pressing on the stem with the fingers.
In
the Antiquity, the most favorite contemporary of
Ancient Greece and Rome were "lyra" and a
transformed example of this instrument, called "khatara".
Later a more developed string instrument named "pandura"
came into being.
While the development of the string instruments
in the west was continuing, "kopuz"es with small
conical bodies and long stems and with large
bodies and short stems sprang up. It is
understood that these instruments started
spreading into the Mediterranean in the eighth
century.
As
can be understood from the miniature and
engraving work remaning from Andalusion Iberia,
It is seen that various instruments resembling
the "Ud", with or without a bow, have been
carried to the Mediterranean.
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