The Turkish Long-Necked Lute Saz or Baglama

The saz or baglama, a generic name for long-necked lutes in Turkey, plays an important role in the Turkish musical culture. It forms the core of all folk musical ensembles and orchestras and is a popular instrument in the arabesque, entertainment, and pop music. It is the instrument par excellence in Turkish music education and in the religious rituals of the Alevi and Bektasi. The saz or baglama can also be heard as a solo instrument on international concert stages. Acknowledging the instrument’s unique place in Turkey, The Turkish Long-Necked Lute Saz or Baglama, an updated and revised edition of the Dutch book Turkse Langhalsluit of baglama, mainly focusses on its cultural and historical background while briefly discussing various saz or baglama types and their construction, tuning, and playing techniques.