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Santur - Iran
The santur is a struck zither, also known as a hammer dulcimer.
It has a flat trapezoid-shaped body with seventy-two strings arranged
so that three strings are struck at the same time to make each pitch.
The player strikes the strings with two delicate felt-covered hammers
called mezrab. The virtuoso santur player produces light, glistening
tones by striking the instrument with blinding speed and precision.
The earliest predecessors of the modern santur may date back to
1600 BCE and it is one of the main instruments of Iranian music.
It is played solo and in ensembles in the improvisatory musical
tradition of maqam.
Narration and performance by Siamak Aghaei:
What is an santur?
Sound of the santur
Siamak
Aghaei - Biography
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