Tzouras

Tzouras

String instrument
Classification	String instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	321.321 (string instrument with a pear-shaped body and a long neck, played with plectrum)
Developed	Greece
Related instruments
Bouzouki, Baglamas, Saz

The tzouras (Greek: τζουράς), is a Greek stringed musical instrument related to the bouzouki. Its name comes from the Turkish cura. It is made in six-string and eight-string varieties. Similar musical instruments in Turkish culture are generally referred to as Bağlama.

The six-string model has the same arrangement of strings tuned to the same pitches as the six-string (trichordo) bouzouki. There are three pairs of strings, tuned to D₃D₄–A₃A₃–D₄D₄ or D₄D₃–A₃A₃–D₄D₄. The strings are made of steel.^[1][2]

Physically, the tzouras resembles the bouzouki, with a similar neck and head, but stands out due to its notably smaller body, resulting in a distinct tonal quality.

Notable players

• Saro Tribastone^[3]
• Mikal Cronin^[4]

See also

• Baglamas
• Greek musical instruments
• Greek music
• Pandura
• Cretan lyra

References

1. "ATLAS of Plucked Instruments - Europe South". Atlasofpluckedinstruments.com. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
2. "Tzouras". Archived from the original on 2015-04-28. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
3. "Pick of the Week: Saro Tribastone". Iberkshires.com. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
4. "Mikal Cronin – "Made My Mind Up"". Stereogum.com. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2021.