OpenTube

Saz: An Introduction

Filip Holm

126,655 views

In this video, we explore the history and features of the Saz/Baglama, one of the most prominent instruments in Anatolia.

Sources/Recomended Reading:

de Zeeuw, Hans (2019). "Tanbur: Long-Necked Lutes along the silk-road and beyond". Archaeopress.

de Zeeuw, Hans (2020). "The Turkish Long-Necked Lute: Saz or Baglama". Archaeopress.

de Zeeuw, Hans (2022). "The Ottoman Tanbur: The Long-Necked Lute of Ottoman Art Music". Archaeopress.

Hammarlund, Anders, Tord Olsson & Elizabeth Özdalga (1997). "Sufism, Music and Society in Turkey and the Middle East". Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul.

Jenkins, Jean & Paul Rovsing Olsen (1976). "Music and Musical Instruments in the World of Islam". World of Islam Festival Publishing Company Ltd.

Wright, Owen (2018). "Music Theory in the Safavid Era: The taqsīm al-naġamāt". Routledge; 1st edition.

#saz #bağlama #music

20 Comments

@howardleekilby7390 3 years ago

I lived on the Black Sea coast in Samsun, Turkiyi. I saw a man carrying a baglama. I asked him where he got it. He led me to the shop. A master craftsman made a baglama for me for $15. I played it in folk coffee houses in the 60’s in New England. I appreciate the spiritual quality of this instrument. Your talent as a teacher in many fields is deeply respected.
❤️❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@zinoudjenadi137 3 years ago

Woow, I'm a big fan of let's talk religion.
But I've never thought you were such a talented musician 😍, how many talents you've got there 🔥🌸
Unbelievable

@saberalsibai1426 3 years ago

This man is a source of surprises and talent... MashAllah

@ibrahimerol5639 2 years ago

Hi, metalhead from Türkiye. I'm playing classical and elecric guitar and love heavy metal. But nowadays I'm also learning bağlama. Diversity in music is a woonderful thing, learning totally different techniques and scales is fun. Thanks for great video.

@TotallyFictional 3 years ago

I adore this instrument and the music of Anatolia. Thank you for this.

@abdulwahabaldakar4054 2 years ago

I couldn't believe seeing my best youtuber (who talks religion) playing Saz when I searched Saz music. Even my wife said is he not your friend?!!! you are very talented Mashallah!

@Tanzreise.Stuttgart 2 years ago

The instrument “Saz,” or more accurately “Baglama,” is one of the most important rituals among the „Alevi“ people, as the prayers, also known as “Deyis“ are accompanied by this beautiful instrument.

It plays a central role in their religion and practices - the rituals called „Cem“ as same as my name :)

Thank you for your dedication and talent, and thank you for being Filip - glad to find you ❤️

@EminTuralic 1 year ago

Man that Sufi song played around 29:00 brings back memories. A part of that melody was adapted/stolen/borrowed in a religion song pretty common to Bosnian muslims where I grew up. So glad I found a source, and learned that it is really old. Thank you!

@wesleykalor5267 3 years ago

Even the lamenting tones are wonderful to hear. The celeste element evokes mystery as well as warmth on happier songs. I love Balama. I suppose there are many many Balama fans.

@HBAY82 3 years ago

The turks in Türkiye love and play that instrument. Some famous singers of that instrument are Neşet Ertaş, Orhan Gencebay, Arif Sağ.

@tkoshannahan3215 3 years ago

Hahahaha. I was thinking "This guy's amazing", but not so much for your saz playing skills but for your thoroughness and appreciation for real history. Oh, how I relish antiquity in all it's forms.

@goodun2974 3 years ago

I didn't hear it mentioned here, but a few modern players don't strike the strings with a wooden stick (I forget what its called) but fingerpick the strings instead. Multi-instrumentalist David Lindley, who passed away 3/3/23, played Saz and Oud fingerstyle, sometimes played Saz or Tambur with a violin bow, and had an electric Saz/Bouzouki he built from a Vox teardrop-shaped Bass Guitar body and a Bouzouki neck, as well as a custom-made electric Oud built by a guy named Najarian in California. Lindley's earliest musical interests were bluegrass banjo and violin, but he also studied Saz, Oud, Flamenco and Classical guitar, and he often played old English and American folk songs on Saz or Oud.

@askinozisci7837 2 years ago

İ am turkish alevi what i know ancestor of saz is kopuz it touches my soul more than any other instrument

@chriswareham 3 years ago (edited)

Thoroughly enjoyed this, particularly the history part. I first heard the baglama when I visited Konya, Turkey back in 2017 and I was immediately entranced by the sound, When I saw a shop selling them I decided to try a long neck one out. I play bass guitar as my main instrument, and with a little experimentation I was soon able to make satisfying sounds. I ended up buying that instrument and bringing it back to London. I probably enjoy playing it more than anything else.

@nazlone 3 years ago

Lovely playing...and loved the explanations.

@jonathannadeau6218 3 years ago

After watching the beautiful and fascinating documentary by Petra Machtnanova I bought myself one of these last year. It’s very hard to find learning material in English. I’m thinking of learning Turkish.

@martindavis2295 3 years ago

I was introduced to such musical traditions by The rhythm divine on Radio National Australia. I am forever grateful having my life opened up to spiritual music fr m around the world. My favourite is Sufi fusion and Kieran music from India.

@hassanh9610 3 years ago

Thank you for your video

Saaz or Saz also means rhythmic. Naasaaz (the antonym) means unrhythmic, inharmonious or discordant. This meaning is in Sadi's Gulistan.

@balporsugu2.0 2 years ago

What about kopuz, cura, üçtelli?

@DivineSource444 3 years ago

This is fantastic! Saz is one of my favourite instruments. I have always wanted to learn (among other middle eastern instruments) but Saz teachers seem to be few and far between.