qānūn

musical instrument

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Assorted References

  • description
    • koto
      In stringed instrument: The zither

      …a plucked trapezoidal zither, the qānūn (derived from Greek kanōn, “rule”). The present-day instrument has a range of three octaves with three strings to each pitch, and a complex system of levers by which its many strings may be finely and quickly retuned to the various Arab scales. Closely related…

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  • use in Islamic music
    • Al-Ḥākim Mosque
      In Islamic arts: Stringed instruments

      Another plucked instrument is the qānūn, or trapezoid-shaped psaltery, played at least from early medieval times. The trapezoidal dulcimer, or sanṭūr, the strings of which are struck with two thin sticks, is widespread and is especially prominent in Persian art music. Bowed lutes, or fiddles, include the rabāb, used by…

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example of

    • psaltery
      • Angel playing a psaltery, detail from Angel Musicians, panel by Hans Memling; in the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp, Belgium.
        In psaltery

        …the trapezoidal Arabic psaltery, or qānūn. It was popular in Europe until about the 15th century and developed there into several shapes, including the characteristic “boar’s head”—i.e., with two incurving sides. It was plucked with the fingers or quill plectra. Even after its decline, it continued to be played on…

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    • zither
      • koto
        In stringed instrument: Zithers

        …box zither is the Arab qānūn and its various derivatives, including the harpsichord (a plucked zither controlled by a keyboard). In Europe a variety of plucked zithers developed having a fretted fingerboard under one or a few of the strings. In the United States popular box zithers include the hammered…

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