A benju is a type of dulcimer fitted with a keyboard, commonly used in the music of Balochistan and Sindh. The instrument is believed to have migrated to the region from Japan some 100 years ago. - It is about 1 meter long, 10 –12 cm wide and the soundbox is about 5 cm high. It has 6 strings. Strings 1 & 2 and 5 & 6 are used as bordun strings and tuned to the tonic and the fifth or fourth. In relative pitch C and G or F. The middle strings 3 & 4 are tuned unison to F or G. They are fretted and can be shortened by pressing down the metal keys. The scale is chromatic from G to A, B flat or B. The right hand plays the strings by using a wooden or plastic plectron, the left hand is fingering the keys. The sound is very close to a dulcimer. The original Japanese version is called Taishōgoto, which is a little bit smaller. The german version is known as Akkordolia.
- The best known player is Abd-ur-Rahmân Surizehi, now living in Norway.
- The benju is played mainly as a solo instrument accompanied by dholak and tamburag. Sometimes it is combined with sorud.
- In India you can find a similar instrument called Bulbul tarang. The latter is often equipped with a piano-like keyboard.
- The Indian bulbul tarangs are often electrified as are some balooch benjus too.