# Tar — Instrument 🇦🇿

> Long-necked lute. Signature instrument of Azerbaijani mugham. Persian-Caucasian classical tradition.

## Type
Plucked string instrument. Long neck, double-bowl body.

## Origin
Azerbaijani / Persian classical tradition. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

## Construction
- Body: two joined bowls (mulberry wood traditional)
- Neck: long
- Strings: 6 (in 3 double courses) traditionally, modern variants more
- Frets: movable (allow microtones)
- Plectrum: brass

## Range
~3 octaves.

## Sound character
- Bright, ringing
- Microtonal capability (essential for mugham)
- Plectrum attack distinct
- Can be lyrical or rhythmic

## Playing styles
### Mugham accompaniment
- Classic Azerbaijani art music
- Microtonal ornaments
- Vocal accompaniment + interludes

### Solo tar
- Virtuoso showcases
- Improvisation in mugham modes

### Modern
- Fusion with jazz, rock, electronic
- Aziza Mustafa Zadeh fusion
- Modern Azerbaijani pop with tar

## Genre fit
- Azerbaijani mugham (essential)
- Persian classical (also called tar there)
- Modern Azerbaijani pop (cultural touch)
- World music fusion
- Cinematic (Middle Eastern feel)

## Famous tar players
- Bahram Mansurov (master)
- Ramiz Quliyev
- Ali Asgar Mammadov
- Modern: Sahib Pashazade

## For Suno
```
[Tar: Azerbaijani long-necked lute, bright plectrum attack, microtonal 
ornaments, mugham style melody in Şur mode, traditional Caucasian]
```

```
[Tar: solo tar improvisation, Persian classical, virtuoso ornaments, 
acoustic recording]
```

## When to use
Azerbaijani / Persian / Caucasian cultural music. Mugham contexts. Cultural authenticity in modern fusion.
