Baglama Saz Basics

This book will guide you through the basics needed to get you started with your short neck baglama saz. Consider this a foundational resource, not an ultimate word, to kick-start your adventure.

After buying a short neck baglama saz and being frustrated by the lack of English-language information, I wrote the book for beginners who have purchased this amazing-sounding instrument. Ideally, the reader will have a little knowledge of Western music and its notation.

Photographs illustrate…

• How to hold the instrument
• The left-hand position
• Using the pick
• Baglama tuning and alternate tuning
• How to replace strings

Illustrations are used for…

• Makams
• Chords
• Chord picking patterns
• Baglama saz fretboard
• How the microtonal quarter notes transfer to the strings
• Naming and position of strings

The author includes makam practice pieces in the book.

The book includes popular Turkish folk tunes. As well as a Minuet from the Renaissance period and a klezmer tune to illustrate the versatility of your baglama saz. All tunes are in music notation and western-style guitar tabs, making it easy to navigate along the fretboard.

Audio clips of the practice pieces and tunes are available to download as .mp3 files.