The Divan is a plucked string instrument and is a Kurdish instrument. It belongs to the tambour family, with the difference that the Divan is a larger instrument than the tambour. In this article from Saad News, get to know more about the Divan, the Kurdish instrument.
The Divan is a plucked string instrument that is played either with a plastic plectrum or by the fingertips using a technique called "Shalpeh" or "Sharpeh." The Divan is a Kurdish instrument with a significant place in the Kurdish regions of Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria. It is deeply rooted in the culture and heritage of these areas, reflecting their customs, traditions, and beliefs. In terms of appearance, the Divan belongs to the tambour family and is slightly larger than it. The Divan has a larger bowl than the Setar, and due to its long and extended neck, it produces a loud and captivating sound.
🎼 History of the Divan
Evidence suggests that while the Divan is recognized as a Kurdish instrument, its origins are Turkish. It is believed to have been made and used around 400 years ago in the city of Firouq (Perah), near Khoy. Despite its Iranian roots, the Divan is quite popular in Turkish music. The Divan is an inseparable part of the music in cities like Bukan, Mahabad, Sanandaj, and Kermanshah. Although it hasn't been around for a long time, it already has a dedicated following among Iranians and Kurds.Parts of the 🎼 Divan
The Divan has seven strings and 23 frets. These seven strings are arranged as follows:
Three strings at the bottom that are played together, one of which is made of spring.
Two strings in the middle that are also played together.
Two strings at the top, one made of spring and the other of regular wire.
🎼 Types of Divan The Divan, with its enchanting sound, has gone through various changes to become the instrument it is today. The Divan is made in different sizes and from various materials. There are three main sizes:
Jura (the smallest size)
Short-neck Divan
Long-neck Divan
The long-neck Divan is typically referred to as just "Divan," and it has a larger bowl and frets compared to its other versions.
🎼 Components of the Divan The Divan has several distinct parts, contributing to its beautiful sound:
Large resonator bowl: The Divan's resonator is large and constructed in multiple pieces, assembled in a butterfly shape using curved wooden segments. The material used for the resonator is typically walnut, cherry, pear, or mulberry wood.
Strings: The Divan has seven strings arranged in three rows of three, two, and two strings, which are tuned accordingly. Two of the strings are called "Wa," while the other three are tuned to the same pitch. The strings are made of steel.
Tuning pegs: The Divan has seven tuning pegs made from oak, boxwood, or mamras wood, four of which are placed on the pegboard, and three are located on the sides.
Neck: The Divan’s neck is long and made from oak. It must be sturdy to withstand the pressure from the player's fingers. The Divan has 24 frets that can be easily moved. The smaller the neck, the higher the pitch of the instrument.
Fretboard: The fretboard is attached to the neck and made from nylon strings.
Nut and saddle: Between the head and the fretboard, there is a narrow wooden piece called the saddle, which supports the strings. The saddle is located at the end of the resonator, where the strings are tied.
Bridge: A thin piece with shallow grooves placed on the resonator's surface. The bridge helps position the strings at a specific distance from the body of the instrument. It is made from wood, ivory, or bone.
Plectrum: A plastic piece used for playing the instrument.
🎼 Tuning of the Divan The Divan can be tuned in various ways:
Bozuk or Kara tuning (Sol, Re, La)
Baglama tuning (La, Sol, Re)
Mestzad tuning (Fa, Re, La)
Miskat tuning (Fa#, Re, La)
Famous Divan Players Some of the most skilled Divan players include Orhan Gencebay, Ahmad Koch, Murat Kaya, Cetin Akdeniz, Erdal Erzincan, Desco Herki, Neshet Ertash, Hasrat Göltekin, Erol Parlak, Arif Sag, Karl Sanders, Erkan Ogur, and Osman Akyol. Ahmad Koch is particularly known for arranging and playing famous world music on the Divan.
