What is a Kanun?

A kanun (also spelled qanun) is a traditional plucked string instrument that is widely used in the music of the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of the Eastern Mediterranean. The instrument has a large, flat trapezoidal wooden body with many strings stretched across its surface. These strings are usually arranged in groups of three for each note, giving the instrument a rich and resonant sound.

The kanun is played by plucking the strings with small plectra that are often attached to rings worn on the player’s index fingers. Musicians place the instrument flat on their lap or on a table and use both hands to perform fast melodic passages, arpeggios, and decorative flourishes. A unique feature of the kanun is its system of small levers, which allow players to quickly adjust the pitch of strings and produce the microtones required in many Middle Eastern musical scales.

The instrument plays an important role in traditional ensembles throughout the region and is commonly used in Arabic, Turkish, and Persian music. It often serves as both a melodic and harmonic instrument, capable of performing complex melodies and intricate ornamentation. Because of its expressive range and shimmering tone, the kanun is considered one of the central instruments in many Middle Eastern musical traditions.