Baglama Saz

Powerfibers

I am wondering if anyone on the forum has been fortunate enough to have played or own one of these Turkish instruments. I love the sound, and would like to know if anyone has a recommendation on where to get one that is quality.
For those who do not know what I am talking about, YouTube has some cool videos. Here is a favorite one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXJAzS70r0M

Thanks!
Bob

pinkgary

I've got one, but i am in no way an expert on them. It's a lovely instrument that takes a while to get used to if you normally play in a western diatonic kind of way. 17 "frets" to the octave!!!!! So, be warned, you'll have to forget everything you've learned (apart from the ole rest stroke) when getting your head around it.

I got recommended a website that i haven't fully explored yet www.maqamworld.com , as i can't find an instruction book that isn't in Turkish.

As for build quality, brand names, where to go, or how much they're worth, i don't have a clue. Mine was given to me. But maqamworld seems quite comprehensive, you might find what you need there.

simplygoodmusic

This is so incredibly cool to see here! Turkish music is one of my favourite styles of music, and the baglama is one of my favourite instruments.

Here is mine :







I got mine two months ago when I was in Istanbul. It was a Sunday so most of the stores were closed, but I did get to go to three stores to pick mine. You can get them for anything between 100 Turkish lira, to much higher. I am really glad I got mine. To my ears, they started sounding good at 200 lira, and fantastic at about 400 lira.

Mine was 400 lira (originally marked a little higher - but I can't tell you the real value), and I love it to death. There aren't any brands, they are all made in and around, I don't know who by. I wouldn't know where to get one outside Turkey though. I can give you the number of the store I bought mine in if that helps

It is indeed a tough instrument to play, and getting your head around maqam and microtones is tough, I tell you. I've been using the site provided by pinkgary, and it hasn't been easy. But if, like me, you are passionate about Turkish and/or other middle eastern music, its something you'll want to learn eventually anyhow. On the other hand, this is probably a much easier alternative to, say, the oud.

I am really loving this thread. Like many here I love world music, but Turkish music is really something special to me. I encourage ANYONE to explore the incredible depths this unique and beautiful brand of music.

And, since we are on the subject - a small clip of one of my favorite bands out there. The taksim trio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kBdMF41O5o

Powerfibers

Thanks! Please let's keep this coming.

I checked out the Maqam World site and it has caused my head to swell! Great stuff, but I have a lot to learn!

Taksim Trio is awesome. Wow, I have listened now for over an hour and am loving every bit of it. Thanks for the tip.

Still digging for info on how to get a good one without traveling too far east!

Panos

Hello there,

i own one saz since i went to Istanbul and i tried to get into playing but all these before i started with gypsy jazz.
Here is my experience in technique..

the good thing about it is the rest stroke that is used in all tourkish and greek traditional instruments but the pick is used is very thin and very soft to get used to it. left hand's work is not so tricky but if you don't have knowledge from turkish music then its impossible to get the most out of it.

i couldn't play gj with it as i did with buzuki with is much more simple..

about buying i had the very same experience with "simplygoodmusic"
try to buy from turkey, even here in greece the price is ridiculously very high..

about oud i disagree.. way more difficult in my opinion since its fretless and has very small fretboard.. couldn't play anything..
very nice that there is a post about this in this forum, hope will get bigger and that one day we will combine all those nice things..

here is an effort from a greek trio

http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=rlm-8QlRM0g

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pinkgary

I know there's a Turkish book shop on Stoke Newington high st in London, in the middle of where all the Turkish people live that also sells Turkish musical instruments. There MUST be a similar thing in New York....

Fingers

Guys what about this site?

http://www.instrumentalsavings.com/cate ... agodJgItYQ

Powerfibers

Thanks. I will check at the University of Buffalo first. I did order on online, but I am sure I will want a great one after I get the starter one. starter one.

Powerfibers

Well, I got my baglama saz today. It was not from the supplier above, but from someone who seems to be getting the same ones. I paid about $189, and I got a lousy untunable instrument. I don't know how any amount of work will make this thing anything but a wall hanger. Oh well, live and learn I guess.

Thanks for the help. You guys are great. Guess I'll stick to my Gitane!
Bob

Ken Bloom

Hi all,

I played baglama saz in a Turkish ensemble in L.A. for about three years back in teh 60's. The little straight in pegs are a pain to deal with but you can get them in tune. The technique is a little like playing traditional dulcimer in that you are going up and down a thin neck. You use your left thumb a lot on the low course. There is also a technique where you tap the strong beats of the rhythm on the top as you strum, kind of like the golpes in flamenco. When going down a scale you use your index finger for the main note and use your ring finger for ornamenting. It is very different from bouzouki technique which is much more like playing the guitar. The seventeen frets per octave is what usually throws people until they get used to it.
Having the right strings on it can be the biggest problem, especially the wound ones which have a very thin core and winding. I have never found any Western strings which are properly designed. I guess you'd have to get them from Turkey. Both tambura saz and baglama saz are a lot of fun to play. Great music. If you want to e-mail me directly I'll see if I can't help you get the instrument into some sort of playing condition.

Ken Bloom
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