Çifteli
String instrument | |
---|---|
Classification | Plucked string instrument; fretted lute |
Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 321.321-5 (Fretted pear-shaped bowl lute with a neck, played by plucking.) |
The çifteli (also çiftelia, qifteli, Albanian for "doubled" or "double stringed") is a plucked string instrument, with only two strings, played mainly by the Albanians of northern and central Albania, southern Montenegro and parts of North Macedonia and Kosovo.[1]
The çifteli is frequently used by Albanians in weddings and at concerts, as well as by musicians such as Nikollë Nikprelaj. It is also used to accompany Albanian epics and ballads.[2]
Construction
Çifteli vary in size, but are most often tuned to B3 and E4 (comparable to the top two strings of a
The çifteli is a
Etymology
The term çifteli is derived from Turkish "çift" ("double, pair") and "tel" ("wire, string"), so it takes the name from the number of strings used.[1][5]
History
The çifteli originates from Albanian territories. It delivers a unique sound, melody and accompanies singing.[6] The çifteli has an origin distinct from that of the instrument called "bağlama" (or "saz")
See also
- Tzouras
- Dutar, a Central Asian instrument, whose name means "two strings" in Persian
- Baglama
- Šargija, a baglama-like Balkan instrument
- Tanbur
- Setar
References
- ^ ISBN 9780810848900.
- ^ Sherer, Stan; Senechal, Marjorie (1997). Long Lif tyesto Your Children!: A Portrait of High Albania. University of Massachusetts Press. p. 19.
- ISBN 9781858286358.
- ISBN 978-1-351-54426-9.
- ISBN 9780810873803.
- ISBN 9780810860216.