Musical Instruments

Classical kemençe

The classical kemenche (Turkish: Klasik kemençe), Armudî kemençe ('pear-shaped kemenche') or Politiki lyra (Greek: πολίτικη λύρα, 'Constantinopolitan lyre', similarly Turkish: İstanbul kemençesi, lit. 'Kemenche of Istanbul') is a pear-shaped bowed instrument with three strings that derives from the medieval Greek Byzantine lyre . It was mainly used by Greek immigrants from Asia Minor and in classical Ottoman music. The instrument was also used earlier for popular music, such as early "Smyrna-Style" rebetiko and continues to be played in the present day. It has become the main bowed instrument of Ottoman classical music since the mid 19th century.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Dom Sébastien
• ▸Clarkia amoena
• ▸Creole music

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