Kamancheh

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Woman playing the kamancheh in a painting from the Hasht-Behesht Palace in Isfahan Persia, 1669

The kamancheh or kamānche (Persian: کمانچه - violinette, Azeri: kamança) is a Persian, Azeri and Armenian instrument similar to a violin. Played with a variable-tension bow, the kamancheh consists of a round body made from gourd or wood, which acts as a sound box, covered with a thin sheep or fish skin membrane. Traditionally, kamanchehs have three silk strings, however, modern ones have four metal ones. At the bottom of the instrument is a spike to support the kamancheh while it is being played.

The word "kamancheh" means "little bow" in Persian. The same instrument is called "kevançe" in Kurdish and "kemençe" in Turkish.

About the length of a viola, kamanchehs are highly ornate, often with mother of pearl or bone inlays and beautifully carved ivory tuning pegs.

The kamancheh is the only bowed string instrument in classical Persian, Kurdish music. Ali Asghar Bahari, Ali Akbar Shekarchi, Ardeshir Kamkar and Kayhan Kalhor are among famous kamancheh player.

The instrument is traditionally played while sitting down and is held like a cello, but the end-pin can rest on the knee or thigh while seated in a chair.