What is a Tar (lute)?

A tar is a traditional long-necked lute that is widely used in the classical and folk music of Iran, Azerbaijan, and parts of the Caucasus and Central Asia. The instrument typically has a double-bowl wooden body carved from a single piece of mulberry wood, a long fretted neck, and several metal strings. The body is often covered with a thin membrane made from animal skin, which helps produce the tar’s distinctive bright and resonant tone.

The tar is played by plucking the strings with a small plectrum, usually made of metal or brass and sometimes wrapped with wax for better grip and control. Musicians use a variety of techniques such as rapid picking, ornamentation, and expressive vibrato to create complex melodies and rhythmic passages. Because the instrument has movable frets, performers can produce the microtonal notes required in many Middle Eastern musical traditions.

The instrument plays a central role in Persian and Azerbaijani classical music ensembles and is often used for both solo performance and accompaniment. In Persian music, the tar is a key instrument for performing compositions and improvisations within the traditional modal system known as dastgah, where skilled players demonstrate technical precision and deep emotional expression through intricate melodic development.