Kemençe
Kemençe
The
name kemençe is actually shared by two different stringed instruments, one used
in Ottoman music and the other in folk music of the Black Sea region. Until the
middle of the 20th century, the first of these was known as the ‘armudı’ (pear)
or ‘fasıl’ kemençe, although these have now given way to the ‘classical
kemençe.’ The second is rather a folk instrument, and is known as the Black Sea
kemençe.
The classical kemençe is quite small, about 40-41 cm. İn length and 14-15 cm.
wide. It shape is reminiscent of a pear split down the middle. The head,
threaded and in the shape of an oval, and the stem are carved out of one piece
of wood. There are two ‘D’-shaped holes on the body outside the rounded edges.
On the rear side there is a back trough.
When played, the tail wedge is placed on the left knee, and the pegs leant
against the chest in a perpendicular position, or else between the knees. The
strings are some 7-10 mm. from the bridge. That is because unlike most stringed
instruments, sound is not produced by pressing on the strings with the
fingertips, but by sliding a fingernail gently down the side of them.
The
neck, stem and body of the Black Sea kemançe are carved out of a single piece of
wood. Its shape, however, is entirely different. As with other folk instruments,
it is impossible to speak of a standard size of Black Sea kemançe. However,
those used by professional musicians and the like tend to be about 56 cm. long.
The body, with its straight sides and flat back is usually made out of plum or
juniper wood. The thin chest area is made out of fir or spruce. In order for the
strings to be able to cope with the pressure from the bridge, a raised dome
travels the length of the body. The pegs are quite small, and attached at the
front of the instrument. It is played by touching the strings with the finger
tips.
If standing, the player holds the instrument in the air with his left hand.
If seated, he rests it between his knees.
Sound of the Black Sea kemançe/mp3 (616 KB)
Sound of the Black Sea kemançe/rm (115KB)
Sound of the classical kemançe/Cüneyd Orhon – Yegah’ta Rast’tan
Irak’ta Segah’a Taksim/(1.43 Mb)
Top: Classical, pear-shaped kemançe
Bottom: Black Sea kemançe