Strings and the Soul
I've spent the last two to three years exploring the string instruments of the Silk Road. Along the way I have found and fallen in love with several
instruments. So I thought I would share a few thoughts and ask others to share their's as well.
The Persian Setar: The spirituality of this instrument is obvious from the first note heard. It has a gentle but compelling sound that suits the
Persian music it is famous for. The microtones, expression and timber of this instrument make it, at once, exciting and energetic, yet peaceful and
capable of opening window to a world inside the melodies played.
The Oud: I would call the Oud the voice of Passion. The deep and resonant quality of the Oud's sound can express great despair and sadness and in
another song the passon of love, the excitement of a dance or the intensity of a bygone tale. The fretless structure gives way to expression that is
nearly limitless. And the tone can range from the exotic sounds of the Silk Road to the more familiar melodies of Arabic influences in Spanish
music.
The Oud is equally a thing of beauty in appearance as well. The selection of wood, decoration and shape are as engaging as the sound. And when played,
the musician can feel the vibrations and be one with the sound.
I love and respect the Oud but do not play. It is an instrument that I believe required more undivided attention to master.
The Afghan Rubab: Afghans call this instrument the Lion of Instruments. It is the voice of distant places and times. The sympathetic strings giving
depth and ambience to the sound that very few instruments in the world can hope to challenge.
It is an instrument capable of giving voice to complex classical expressions or the genuine and pure sounds of folk music from a history rife with
conflict and hardship.
It took one listening to this instrument to fall in love with it. And one moment playing one to feel it transfer the deep resonance and vibrations
beyond the instrument to somewhere deep inside where it awakened a desire to study, to learn and to experience it more.
The Silk Road is rich with instruments that evoke ancient places and voices. I hope you'll share your experiences and that these will inspire more
people to explore these instruments and experience their wonders.
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