Azeri Tar
Traditional, yet quirky in an unexplainable, modern way..
About this instrument
The Azeri Tar immediately struck me with its intensity. It’s sharp, resonant, and deeply expressive—an instrument that demands both precision and emotion. When I first began playing it, I was amazed by how alive it felt under my fingers; each pluck seemed to speak its own language. The Tar’s bright, percussive attack and intricate ornamentation give it a dramatic voice, yet there’s a warmth beneath that brilliance that reveals itself the more you listen. It feels both ancient and electrifyingly present, like the echo of history still vibrating in real time. This one, the Azeri version, is very hard to obtain due to export limitations from Azerbaijan. Although, ironically, this is also one of the couple of instruments that I don't play in the traditional manner—I hold and play it more like its Persian cousin, as it’s more comfortable for me this way. Aside from that, I will note that this is an oddly versatile instrument in a way you wouldn’t expect—very genre-bending.
In the first video, I demonstrate a more traditional-like melody with tremolo and microtonal expression. In the second, I reveal a glimpse of its genre-bending versatility.
Recommended M o o d s for this instrument
The Tar’s brightness can evoke everything from tension to trance—perfect for exploring unusual tonal moods.
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