Where does the Qanun come from?

Qanun is documented in this archive as a string tradition associated with Middle East. Open the culture guide from this page for regional context.

How difficult is the Qanun to learn?

Difficulty varies by player and pedagogy. Use the difficulty field in the quick facts panel as a relative guide, then listen to specimen audio and explore related instruments in the same family.

Instrument · traditional

String

Qanun

Name: Qanun
Brand: Middle East
Availability: OnlineOnly

The qanun is a trapezoidal zither with 78 strings arranged in groups of three. It's central to Arabic classical music and can produce the complex microtonal scales essential to Middle Eastern music. The instrument requires incredible skill to master its intricate tuning system.

Catalog

Sample

Overview

Cultural context

The qanun is central to Arabic classical music and represents the sophisticated musical traditions of the Middle East, with its complex modal system and intricate ornamentation.

Legendary players

Marcel KhalifeArtifact →
Naseer Shamma—
Hassan Erraji—
Farid al-Atrash—

Specimen note

The qanun has small levers called 'mandals' that allow players to change the pitch of strings while playing, enabling the complex microtonal scales of Arabic music.

Technical specifications

Exhibit datasheet · derived from catalog fields

Materials & construction hints: See specimen tags and description for construction lineage
Tuning & pitch: Pitch material is tradition-specific; see description for scale and temperament context.
Register & role: String · typical use: Arabic Classical, Middle Eastern, Traditional Arabic
Acoustic range (general): Harmonic content follows string length, tension, and resonator; partials differ by construction.
Market class (indicative): $800-$3000

Historical context

The qanun is central to Arabic classical music and represents the sophisticated musical traditions of the Middle East, with its complex modal system and intricate ornamentation. The qanun is a trapezoidal zither with 78 strings arranged in groups of three.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Qanun?: The qanun is a trapezoidal zither with 78 strings arranged in groups of three. It's central to Arabic classical music and can produce the complex microtonal scales essential to Middle Eastern music. The instrument req…
Where does the Qanun come from?: Qanun is documented in this archive as a string tradition associated with Middle East. Open the culture guide from this page for regional context.
How difficult is the Qanun to learn?: Difficulty varies by player and pedagogy. Use the difficulty field in the quick facts panel as a relative guide, then listen to specimen audio and explore related instruments in the same family.

Discovery web

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