Pondar
 | |
| String | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Dechk Pondar, Pandar |
| Classification | Plucked |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification |
(Composite chordophone) |
| Related instruments | |
| Musicians | |
| Valid Dagaev, Sakhab Mezhiev | |
The Pondar/Dechig Pondar (Chechen: дечиг пондар) is a stringed instrument from Chechnya and Ingushetia in the Northern Caucasus.[1][2] The sound produced by the Pondar is similar to the violin[3] if played with a bow, but if played by hand, which is most usual, it makes a sound slightly similar to the Panduri, but it is easy to hear the difference between these two similar instruments.
Construction
It has a wooden elongated body, carved from one piece of wood, with a flat top and a curved lower deck, and is traditionally made of walnut wood.
The Pondar's frets were traditionally made up of rope, but today they can be made of plastic and steel just like the Guitar.[1]
The Pondar's dimensions are 750-900mm but can variate if it is made properly or not. The Pondar originally had 3 strings but now some modern ones have 6 strings, but there are still made Pondars with 3 strings.
Tuning
- Three-stringed Phondar: c-d–g'
- Six-stringed Phondar: cc-dd-gg'
Related instruments
Related or similar instruments in other Caucasian countries:
Georgia - Panduri
Ossetia - Fandyr
Dagestan - Pandur-Kumuz
Apa-pshina
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "P". The Stringed Instrument Database. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- ↑ Webmaster-Atlas. "Middle East". ATLAS of Plucked Instruments. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- ↑ Jaimoukha, Amjad M. (2005). "Music and dance". The Chechens: A handbook (Google eBook) (illustrated ed.). Psychology Press. p. 193. Retrieved March 4, 2012.