# Saz / Bağlama — Instrument 🇹🇷

> Turkish long-necked lute. Aşık tradition. Folk music foundation.

## Type
Plucked string instrument. Long neck (like tar). Multiple strings.

## Origin
Turkish / Anatolian tradition. Related instruments throughout Central Asia and Caucasus.

## Names by region
- **Saz** — Azerbaijani aşıq tradition (often)
- **Bağlama** — Turkish modern term
- **Tambura** — variations

## Construction
- Pear-shaped body
- Long neck (microtonal frets)
- 6-7 strings (in 3 courses)
- Plectrum (mızrap)
- Frets allow microtones (different from Western)

## Range
~3 octaves.

## Sound character
- Bright, ringing
- Microtonal capability
- Melodic + chordal
- Folk authenticity

## Playing styles
### Aşıq tradition
- Folk poet-musicians (Aşık Veysel, Aşıq Ələsgər)
- Improvised poetry + saz
- Storytelling music

### Turkish folk
- Halk müziği (people's music)
- Regional variations

### Modern Turkish music
- Folk-pop fusion (Sezen Aksu uses)
- Arabesk (sometimes)

### Azerbaijani aşıq
- Traditional saz playing
- Often instrumental introductions to sung verses

## Genre fit
- Turkish folk (essential)
- Azerbaijani aşıq (essential)
- Modern Turkish pop (folk touch)
- Regional folk
- World music

## Famous saz players
- **Aşık Veysel** (Turkish, blind master)
- **Aşıq Ələsgər** (Azerbaijani master)
- **Neşet Ertaş** (Turkish)
- **Arif Sağ** (Turkish modern)

## For Suno
```
[Saz: Turkish long-necked lute (bağlama), bright plectrum attack, 
microtonal melody, folk Anatolian style, traditional acoustic]
```

```
[Saz: Azerbaijani aşıq tradition, instrumental introduction with 
storytelling vocal, traditional folk]
```

## When to use
Turkish / Azerbaijani aşıq folk music. Cultural authenticity. Folk-pop fusion. Wedding music. Storytelling traditions.
