Setar (Persian: سه تار, from seh, meaning "three" and tār, meaning "string") is a Persian musical instrument. It is a member of the lute family. Two and a half centuries ago, a fourth string was added to the setar, which has 25 - 27 moveable frets. It originated in Persia around the time of the spread of Islam and is a direct descendant of the larger and louder tanbur. The setar should not be confused with the Indian sitar, which is significantly different, despite the similarity of their names.
Notable setar players
Pamiri Setor (Tajikistan)
The Pamiri setor is playing in the eastern regions of Tajikistan. It is a much larger instrument than the Iranian setar. The setor has metal strings and is played with wire fingerpicks. It more resmbles the Uzbek tanbur or Indian sitar than it does the Iranian setar, though the name shares a common etymology.
The body of the setor is made like a dutar, with separate ribs. The soundboard is made of softwood, with soundholes drilled into it. The neck is wide and hollow, with a straight pegbox. There are generally 10 metal strings, including a few extra drone strings starting from pegs half way on the left side of the neck. The frets are wound-on nylon or gut.[1]
See also
External links
Setar music samples
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