Two Different Souls Reflected from the Bows: Kemençe Education

The name "Kemençe," in Turkey's music culture, defines two much-loved but quite different instruments that carry the spirit of two distinct geographies and two separate musical traditions. One describes the fierce waves and exuberant horon dances of the Black Sea, while the other conveys the sophisticated and melancholic melodies of the Ottoman palace. At Peska Sanat, we offer a comprehensive education program for you to get to know both of these rich heritages closely and to discover which kemençe speaks to your soul.

The Tale of Two Kemençes: Which One Calls to You?

Before starting your journey, let's get to know these two valuable instruments up close:

• Black Sea Kemençe: The Voice of the Horon and the Highlands The Black Sea Kemençe, which draws attention with its slender, long structure, is, as its name suggests, the symbol of the Black Sea Region, especially the Eastern Black Sea.
• Character: Energetic, rhythmic, lively, and exuberant.
• Music Genre: Turkish Folk Music. Generally used to play horon tunes, improvised sung verses (atma türküler), and conversational melodies.
• Playing Technique: It is played vertically, usually supported on the knee while standing or sitting. The strings are pressed with the fingertips, and an harmonic timbre is often achieved by touching more than one string at the same time.
• Classical Kemençe (Armudi Kemençe): The Elegant Tone of the Palace This instrument, with a pear-shaped, elegant body, is also known as the "Istanbul Kemençe."
• Character: It has a melancholic, lyrical, weeping, and extremely poignant sound.
• Music Genre: Turkish Art Music. It is one of the most precious members of fasıl ensembles and TSM performances.
• Playing Technique: It is played vertically, placed between the knees or on one knee. The most distinctive feature of this instrument is that sound is produced not by pressing the strings with the finger pad, but by touching them from the side with the nail. This technique gives it its famous slick and plaintive tone.

What Does Kemençe Education at Peska Sanat Cover?

Whether your choice is the Black Sea or the Classical Kemençe, our education program is built on a solid foundation:

• Basic Posture and Hold: We ensure a healthy start by teaching the unique posture and holding techniques of both instruments.
• Bowing Techniques: We concentrate on bow (arşe) control, which is the key to producing a clean and correct sound from the instrument.
• Intonation and Finger Exercises: We do special ear and finger exercises to find the right note (intonation) on these fretless instruments.
• Repertoire: We work on a rich repertoire starting from the most basic horon tunes or the most well-known TSM pieces, according to the type of kemençe you choose.
• Notation and Theory: We aim for you to become a conscious musician by learning music not just by imitation, but also with knowledge of notation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which kemençe is easier to learn? 
Both instruments have their own unique challenges. The Black Sea kemençe requires attention for its fast rhythms and fluent playing, while the Classical kemençe demands precision for its sensitive intonation and nail technique. The instrument of the music genre you are more interested in will be more motivating and therefore "easier" for you to learn.

Is there a specific age to start the kemençe? 
For children, it can generally be started after the age of 7-8, when hand structure and coordination have developed. For adults, any age where there is a desire to learn is the right age to start the kemençe.

What should I pay attention to when buying an instrument? 
It is very important that you correctly identify the type of kemençe you want to learn. For a start, it is best to choose a handmade student instrument made by a good craftsman but not very expensive. Our instructors will guide you in choosing an instrument.