Kamancha Tarhu

The two leading kamancha players in the world today both play Kamancha Tarhus made by Peter Biffin - Habil Aliev, from Azerbaijan, and Kayhan Kalhor from Iran.

The Kamancha Tarhu design preserves all the traditional kamancha techniques, and much of the aesthetics. The focus of the sound is towards the tiniest change with the bow creating the greatest possible change in tone colour. 

Photographs

Select either low resolution (30k > 50 k) or high resolution (150k > 300k) underneath each image.

MP3 Sound Samples

Kamancha Tarhu played by Habil Aliev - tarhu and drum (zarb)

Kamancha Tarhu played by Habil Aliev - small ensemble

Models

Several different construction methods are now being employed for kamancha tarhu. For more details on body types, see here Choosing a Body

There are now models of kamancha tarhu that have 7 sympathetic strings passing along a channel in the middle of the neck, up to a second pegbox where the sympathetic strings are tuned. There has also been strong demand recently for 5 playing strings - models are now available with either or both these new developments.

All prices do not include case or freight. Kamancha Tarhu cases $400 for all models (laminated wood construction)

Brass
4 playing strings - Hand beaten brass body, Blackwood neck, Ebony fingerboard pegheds pegs, (photos centre above)
$2700

 


4 playing strings with 7 sympathetics - Hand beaten brass body, Blackwood neck, Ebony fingerboard, pegheds pegs,
$3700


5 playing strings with 7 sympathetics - Hand beaten brass body, Blackwood neck, Ebony fingerboard, pegheds pegs,
$4000

 

 

Wooden Ribs
4 playing strings – Body made from 18 laminated ribs using figured Blackwood, Black wood neck, Ebony fingerboard pegheds pegs, (Photos right above)
$4500

 


4 playing strings with 7 sympathetics - Body made from 18 laminated ribs using figured Blackwood, Black wood neck, Ebony fingerboard pegheds pegs,
$5500


5 playing strings with 7 sympathetics - Body made from 18 laminated ribs using figured Blackwood, Black wood neck, Ebony fingerboard pegheds pegs, (photos left above)
$5800

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Azeri and Persian styles

Vibrating string length is either 33cm, (standard length for Iranian style kamancha) or 29cm (standard length for Azeri style kamancha). The sound adjustments provided by the moveable bridge pin (see Design) allows the sound of any kamancha tarhu to be directed towards the sound pallette of either Azeri or Iranian styles. Players of Azeri style kamancha should note that because the Azeri string spacing is much wider than on a Persian style instrument, 5 playing strings can't be used without reducing the string spacing substantially.

 

Stringing and tuning

The kamancha tarhu uses a violin string-set for 4 string models, and viola string set for 5 string models. Tuning is either fifths (identical to violin) or a mixture of fourths and fifths. As with other tarhus, the kamancha tarhu will still work effectively with the strings tuned down a long way from their intended violin tuning. Most common 4 string tuning is (highest to lowest) c,g,c,g, (or d,a,d,a) and most common 5 string tuning c,g,c,g,c (or d,a,d,a,d) .