Tembor
| String instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | String instrument |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification |
(Composite chordophone) |
The Tembor (simplified Chinese: 弹拨尔; traditional Chinese: 彈撥爾; pinyin: Tánbō'ěr; Uyghur: تەمبۈر) is a stringed musical instrument used in the music of Xinjiang, a diverse region of western China. Specifically, it is used by the Uyghur ethnic group.
It has 5 strings in 3 courses and is tuned A A, D, G G. The strings are made of Steel and the instrument is roughly 1.5m long from the top of the headstock to the horn string plate at the other end. The player attaches a metal wire pick under the fingernail of the left index finger with thread. The instrument features a guard for the playing hand in the shape of a fish, and the whole instrument is, in common with most Uyghur instruments, covered in fine marquetry in geometric designs. One of the most challenging Uyghur instruments, it is known as "the father of music", in contrast to the satar, known as "mother of music". An important instrument in the Ili valley, where it is used with the dutar and accompanies vocal performances.