baglamas

Baglama, also called bağlama or saz, is a family of long-necked lute-like stringed instruments central to Turkish folk music, with a tradition that extends into the Balkans and the Caucasus. The instrument typically features a hollow wooden body with a rounded back, a long fretted neck, and a soundboard with a soundhole. Strings are plucked with a plectrum, producing a bright, singing tone. The number of strings and the tuning vary by region, but most modern forms use multiple strings arranged in courses and, in many cases, an additional melody string.

Size and form vary within the family. The cura or short-neck baglama is lighter and used for rhythm and vocal accompaniment, while the long-neck baglama offers greater range for melodic work. Larger models, such as the divan sazı, are associated with classical Turkish music ensembles. Technique and repertoire emphasize expressive melodic playing; the instrument is typically played with a plectrum and supports melody, drone, and accompaniment, with improvisation in makam scales being common.

History and cultural context. The baglama has roots in Central Asia and spread to Anatolia, where it became a defining instrument of Turkish folk music. It is widely used in regional folk styles across Turkey and among Greek-speaking and Balkan communities, as well as in Sufi and Alevi traditions. Today it remains a standard teaching instrument in Turkish music education and is featured in both traditional performances and contemporary popular music.