The Voice of Anatolia: Bağlama Education

The Bağlama, or as it's known colloquially, the Saz, is not just a musical instrument, but the thousand-year-old cultural memory of Anatolia. It is the voice of the deyiş (sayings) from the tongues of minstrels (ozans), the türküs (folk songs) that tell of the land's sorrows and joys, and the stories passed down from generation to generation. From the melancholy of Aşık Veysel to the defiance of Neşet Ertaş, it carries the spirit of these lands in every plectrum strike and on every fret. At Peska Sanat, we present this ancient instrument and the rich culture it represents to you through correct and systematic training.

Why Should You Learn Bağlama?

To play the bağlama is to embark on a cultural journey:

• Connect with Your Roots: Learning the bağlama, the cornerstone of Anatolian music, allows you to form a deep bond with your own culture and history.
• An Impressive Means of Expression: With its ability to accompany both exuberant halay dances and poignant bozlak laments, the bağlama is a very powerful and versatile tool for expressing your emotions.
• Develop Your Musical Skills: The use of the tezene (plectrum) develops right-hand rhythm, while finger movements on the fretboard develop left-hand dexterity and musical hearing.
• Socialize: Playing and singing folk songs together is one of the most enjoyable social activities.

What Does Bağlama Education at Peska Sanat Cover?

Our training draws a roadmap from the very basics to mastery:

• Basic Techniques: We make a solid start with correct posture for holding the bağlama, proper sitting position, and the most fundamental plectrum strokes, the "up-down" tezene exercises.
• Notation and Theory: We provide the theoretical knowledge that will enable you to read and understand folk songs with their notes and tablature system, instead of just memorizing them.
• Regional Styles (Tavırlar): This is the richest part of bağlama education. We teach different regional performance styles, from the gravitas of the Zeybek style and the embellishments of Central Anatolian bozlak, to the agility of Black Sea melodies and the rhythm of halays.
• Advanced Techniques: According to our students' level, we focus on Şelpe, the technique of playing without a plectrum, and various finger-tapping and pull-off techniques.
• Repertoire: We develop both your technique and your musical vocabulary by working on a wide repertoire consisting of the most beloved and fundamental folk songs of our folk music.

Who Can Take Bağlama Lessons?

Our bağlama lessons are open to everyone interested in this instrument.

• Beginner-level students of all ages who are interested in music and folk songs.
• Those who play at a certain level but want to improve their technique and knowledge of regional styles.
• Vocalists who want to accompany the folk songs they sing.
• Musicians who play other instruments, like the guitar, and are in search of a different timbre and culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Short-neck or long-neck bağlama? Which one should I start with? 
This is the question we encounter most frequently. The short-neck bağlama is generally considered easier to play at the beginning because it has fewer frets and is common in the performance of folk music. The long-neck offers a wider range of notes and is used in different musical genres, such as traditional Alevi-Bektashi deyiş. Our instructors will help you choose the most suitable one for your musical goals.

How long will it take for me to start playing a folk song? 
With regular and disciplined practice, you can start playing your first simple folk songs within a few months. Remember, what's important is not speed, but forming a solid foundation by producing correct and clean sounds.

I want to buy a bağlama, what should I pay attention to? 
You do not need to buy a very expensive instrument to start. However, it is important to choose a quality student bağlama with properly adjusted frets so that the notes can be pressed correctly and a neck that will not warp ("sapı atmayacak"). Our instructors will provide you with guidance on selecting an instrument.