A saz with the wrong string set, a ney in the wrong key, or a darbuka with a head that does not suit your playing style can make the first weeks frustrating. Turkish musical instruments are not one uniform category. They are connected by Anatolian musical practice, but each has its own repertoire, tuning logic, construction, and maintenance needs. For a first-time buyer, the practical question is not simply which instrument sounds appealing. It is which instrument matches the music you want to play, the role you expect to have in an ensemble, and the supplies you can keep on hand. A good choice begins with the instrument family. Turkish Musical Instruments by Playing Role Traditional Turkish music includes long-necked lutes, frame drums, goblet drums, double-reed winds, and end-blown flutes. Some are suited to solo melody, some to rhythmic accompaniment, and some can do both depending on the player and...

Alternative names: Ud, Al-ud, Oud Sharqi (as opposed to the Oud Arbi), Barbat (In Iran) - see under Barbat for Iranian variant.Origin: Middle East, over 5000 years ago.Tuning: D2, G2 G2, A2 A2, D3 D3, G3 G3, C4 C4.Strings/Courses: Usually 11/6, but sometimes 13/7 or 10/5Further notes: There are also Iraqi Ouds with 13 strings, adding an extra higher course to the Arabic type, and Egyptian Ouds without the single lowest course. Nylon strings.Scale Length: 600-620mm for the Arabic oud. There is however quite a wide range used by different luthiers.   Oud Arbi Alternative names: Oud RamalOrigin: Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.Tuning:Strings/Courses: 8/4Further notes: Not to be confused with the similar Kwitra from Algeria.Scale Length: Oud Bashir Alternative names: Iraqi Oud, Ud BashirOrigin: IraqTuning: C#2, F#2 F#2, B2 B2, E3 E3, A3 A3, D4 D4Strings/Courses: 11/6 or 12/6Further notes: Has a floating bridge and open soundholes. Developed in Iraq and made famous by the Oud player Munir Bashir.Scale Length: About 600mm Oud, Turkish Alternative names: UdOrigin: Middle East,...