What is a Bağlama?

A bağlama is a traditional Turkish stringed instrument that belongs to the lute family and is widely used in Turkish folk music. The instrument has a long fretted neck and a rounded wooden body that acts as a resonating chamber. It typically has seven strings arranged in groups, which are played by plucking them with a small pick called a mizrap.

The bağlama allows musicians to perform both melodies and rhythmic accompaniment. Players press the strings against the frets along the long neck to change pitch while strumming or picking patterns with the right hand. The frets are often movable, which allows performers to adjust the tuning system and play the microtonal scales commonly used in Turkish music.

The bağlama is one of the most important instruments in Turkish folk traditions and is often used to accompany singers and storytellers known as ashiks. Its expressive tone makes it well suited for lyrical melodies and traditional songs. Today, the bağlama remains a central instrument in Turkish culture and is also used in modern folk, pop, and fusion music.