Straták

Straták is a type of traditional stringed instrument originating from the Balkan Peninsula, particularly in the regions of Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a bowed string instrument and is often used in folk music ensembles, particularly in the lively and energetic genre known as "folklora".

The straták typically has three or four strings, made from catgut or synthetic materials, and is played with a horsehair bow. The instrument's body is usually made from Romanic font violin-like shape carved from wood, with a rounded back and a fretted neck. Some variations of the instrument feature additional ornamentations such as carvings, incrustations, or geometrical patterns on the body.

The music produced by the straták is characterized by its distinctive, high-pitched sound and the complex rhythmic patterns typical of Balkan music. It often serves as the primary melodic instrument in ensembles, accompanied by a string section consisting of other traditional instruments such as the accordion and musical saw.

Straták's playing style is characterized by an emphasis on dynamic contrasts and the expressive use of ornaments and tremolos, which gives the music a lively and virtuosic quality. Due to its role in preserving and promoting traditional folk music, the straták is still widely used in contemporary folk music, considered a symbol of national identity and cultural heritage.

Although the straták has a long history, its construction has been adapted to modern tooling and materials over the centuries, resulting in a diverse range of variations and playing styles, made by a number of skilled craftsmen and musicians across the Balkans.