Cura
| Category | Strings (long-necked lute) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Turkey |
| Classification | musical instrument |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q1144423 |
Overview
The cura is the smallest member of the Turkish saz (or bağlama) family of long-necked plucked lutes. With a small pear-shaped body and three sets of strings, it produces a bright, high-pitched sound. The cura is used both as a solo instrument and as a high voice within larger saz ensembles, complementing the deeper bağlama and divan sazı.
Origin & History
The saz family has a long history across Anatolia, the Caucasus, and parts of the Balkans, with regional variants and sizes developed over centuries. The cura specifically refers to the smallest, highest-pitched member of the family. Different regions of Turkey have produced their own forms and tunings, and the instrument has been a familiar voice in folk gatherings, weddings, and travelling musicians’ performances.
How It’s Played
The cura is played seated, held against the body. The strings are plucked with a soft plectrum (tezene or mızrap), traditionally made from cherry bark, plastic, or similar material. The frets along the neck are tied movable gut, allowing fine microtonal adjustment for the makam scales used in Turkish music. Right-hand techniques include single-string plucking and tremolo strumming.
Cultural Significance
The saz family is closely tied to the figure of the aşık, a poet-singer who travels accompanying their own song. The cura, with its bright voice, is especially associated with rapid, virtuosic playing. In contemporary Turkey it appears in folk music, popular music, and crossover projects, and its smaller size makes it portable and approachable for beginners learning saz technique.
Related Instruments
- – the central instrument of the saz family
- – the largest, deepest member of the family
- Saz – the broader Turkish family name
- Tar (Persian) – a related long-necked lute tradition
- – a Central Asian two-string folk lute
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the cura the smallest saz?
Yes. It is the smallest and highest-pitched member of the saz family.
Does it have movable frets?
Yes. Like other saz family instruments it has tied gut frets that can be adjusted to fit different makam scales.
Is it the same as the bağlama?
They belong to the same family. The bağlama is mid-sized; the cura is smaller and higher-pitched.
Image: image by Lukas007, public domain (Wikimedia Commons).