An interesting long-necked lute of Iran is dotar which means “two strings”. The manner of playing dotar is different than the other lutes, the strings are struck with the fingers of the right hand. A sung poetry often accompanies dotar performance. In addition, dotar has other region-specific functions in Persian culture; this kind of long-necked lute is especially found in Khorasan region of Persia. Dotar produces a strong and dense, a metallic timbre. Most dotars has 14 frets aligned chromatically, but in Eastern Khorasan three-quarter-tone intervals are used as well. The bowls of the dotars in our catalogue are made of mulberry, the necks are made of walnut wood. We provide you with unique, high-quality dotars. They are all hand-made, constructed by makers who have mastered their craft. Do not hesitate to visit our store or our website to decide which of these instruments you wish to buy. You will probably find here the right dotar for you at the best value.
Features of Dotar
Dotar, used in many parts of Iran and Central Asia; is almost identified with Persian, Uyghur, Uzbek, and Turkmen peoples. Tar means string, Dotar means two-stringed, setar means three-stringed, çahar tar means four-stringed saz. Dotar can also be written with names such as "Dutar", "Dotar", "Dotar-i Mayda". Dotar's trunk and stem length is 100-120 cm.
The main body can be pear-shaped wood carving or gluing. In Anatolia, there is a similar instrument called İki Stringed. Again, it is obvious that Dotar has a historical connection with two-stringed instruments called Irızva, Ruzba, or Dede Sazı in Anatolia. However, today's Anatolian two-stringed ones are the least size. The playing technique of this instrument, known as Ciftelia in Albania, is almost the same as those in Anatolia. There are two types of Dotars:
Uyghur Dotar: It is the dotar played with the finger. It has two strings, and its strings are made of silk. It has a pear-shaped boat made of mulberry leaves and a mulberry cover. That is usually tuned to a quartet or a quintet.
Turkmen Dotar: It is a two-stringed Turkmen folk instrument. It is smaller than Uzbek and Uyghur dotars. Although the wires are metal, threaded ones are also found. Its height is about 80–90 cm. It has a pear boat made of mulberry wood and a chest made of mulberry. The handle is made of plum wood and is cylindrical. Curtains are metal.