Persian instruments: a short guide

Persian classical music is played by small ensembles, often with a singer, in which each instrument has its own voice. These are the main ones.

Strings

The tar is a long-necked lute with a waisted body made of two hollows and a thin skin stretched across the face. It is plucked with a small metal plectrum and has a bright, resonant sound. Its strings are arranged in courses. The tar is considered one of the central instruments of the tradition and is used for both solo and ensemble playing.

The setar, whose name means “three strings” in Persian, now has four. It is a smaller lute, played with the nail of the index finger, and has a soft, intimate sound often linked with mystical poetry.

The santur is a trapezoid-shaped box with many strings stretched across it, struck with two small hammers. Its bright, shimmering sound comes from a rapid, delicate attack.

The kamancheh is a spike fiddle: a round body with a long neck, held upright on the knee and played with a bow. Its voice is close to the human voice, and it can sound plaintive or fierce.

Wind

The ney is a simple reed flute, blown at the end, with a hollow, breathy tone. It is made from a single piece of reed, with finger holes. It is used in classical music and in the Sufi tradition.

Percussion

The tombak, also called the zarb, is a goblet-shaped wooden drum, held across the lap and played with the fingers and palm. A skilled player produces a wide range of sounds and rhythms. The daf is a large frame drum with metal rings that jingle. It is held in the hands and played in groups, and it is associated with Sufi gatherings as well as celebrations.

Listening for them

In a typical performance, a singer or lead instrument begins in a free rhythm, with other instruments responding, before a rhythmic section with percussion enters. Listening for which instrument leads, and how others follow, is a good way into the music.