kemençe

Kemençe, sometimes rendered kemence in Turkish, is a traditional bowed string instrument native to the Black Sea region of Turkey and to adjacent Pontic Greek and Caucasian communities. It belongs to the fiddle family and is distinguished by a small, rounded wooden body and a short neck supporting three strings. The instrument is typically played with a bow drawn across the strings, producing a bright, penetrating timbre that suits both dance music and expressive melodic lines.

Construction and technique: Most kemençes have a compact body with a light, resonant soundboard. The neck is short and the strings are usually tuned in a fixed interval. The left hand presses the strings on the fingerboard to change pitch, while the right hand guides the bow. The instrument is commonly held on the chest or knee, with the neck angled slightly upward to facilitate precise intonation. It supports microtonal inflections characteristic of regional scales.

Regional and musical role: In Turkey's Black Sea provinces, the kemençe is a central instrument in horon ensembles and folk performances. In Pontic Greek communities, the Pontic kemenché is a defining feature of traditional music and dances. The instrument has also inspired related bowed instruments in neighboring regions and has seen modern adaptations in contemporary world music.

History and related instruments: The kemençe is part of the wider family of regional bowed lutes that includes the Persian kamancheh and related instruments across the Middle East and Caucasus. Although the names and forms vary, these instruments share a common bowed technique and a cultural role in ritual and festive music.