Virtual Instrument Museum

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	Qanun Image 1 1000 x 612 780 x 472
	Qanun Image 2 1000 x 612 780 x 472
	Qanun Image 3 1000 x 612 780 x 472
	Qanun Image 4 1000 x 612 780 x 472
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•Said Darwish: Al-Hilwa Di (This Beauty)
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Name: Qanun

Alternate Name(s): Kanun

Geographic Region: West Asia

Country of origin: Egypt

Classification: Chordophone

Material:

• Wood
• Nylon string
• Metal

SvH No.: 314.122

Related Instruments:

• Ney
• Ud
• Kayagŭm
• Dulcimer (Plucked)
• Zheng
• Dulcimer (Hammered)
• Tanbur
• Kemenche

Genres:

• Turkish art music
• Arabic art music

Author: Dave Fossum
           

Related Web Sites:

• Grove music online: Qanun

Description | References | |

Description

The Qanun in is a plucked trapezoidal box zither of the Arab world and Turkey (where it is called the kanun). Versions of the instrument can also be found in the Balkans and Armenia. The instrument is typically constructed from walnut, maple, pine, plane, or ebony wood. A skin soundtable runs the length of the instrument on one end; the strings are stretched over a long bridge whose four or five feet press down on the skin. The nylon strings are usually arranged in courses of three, and the number of strings can vary between about 70 and 80.

An important development in the instruments construction appeared in the late 19th century: the presence of a series of small brass levers under the strings, close to the pegbox. These levers allow for microtonal adjustments of the strings’ tuning, adjustments which previously had to be made by pressing the left hand onto the strings directly. The development freed the left hand, facilitating greater virtuosity in performance. Turkish kanun are smaller than their Arab counterparts.

The qanun is typically played as part of an ensemble in classical genres, although it is sometimes played as a solo instrument.

The qanun pictured above belongs to Deb Justice, who purchased it in Cairo. The photos were taken in 2005, when Deb was finishing her MA at Wesleyan.

References

Christian Poche. "Qānūn." In Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online, http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/22608 (accessed May 17, 2010).

Last Modified: 03-Jun-2010