The KANUN is a Turkish stringed instrument similar to the ZITHER.
The word,KANUN,is translated CANON or LAW in English,and is considered the
basic Turkish instrument.There is an evidence that the KANUN has been in use
continously since the ninth century.It is commonly believed that the KANUN  was
invented by the Turkish scientist FARAB? who lived between the years  870-950.

DESRIPTION

The KANUN has a trapeziodal shape with an average length of 38inches (83.6 cm)
at its long side, 13.5 inches (29.7cm) at the short side,and a width at 16.5 inches
(36.3cm) gradually tapering to 4 inches (8.8 cm) at the narrow end.
There are an average of 26 different notes (possibly up to 30 notes), and for each
note there are two or three (mostly three) strings for a total of from 74 to 81 strings.
The total range  is up to 3.5 octaves.

The KANUN is constructed by skilled craftsmen in workshops in Turkey. Everything is made by hand using up to seven different kinds of wood. The top is made of
sycamore wood, the back of pine wood,the bridge is made of maple.
The design on the sides and top is cut out of rosewood and  white pine.The sound
board is completed by using either fish or calf leather, giving the KANUN its rich
resonance.

The strings are made of six different diameters of high grade of nylon.The tuning
pegs and the peglock are made of hardwood, either rosewood or ebony. The small
tuning levers, or tuning keys,called MANDAL,are made of an alloy of iron and alpaca
which are cut into shape and highly polished.

The KANUN has a unique system for tuning.First,using the pegs,all three Strings for each note are tuned to a simple major diatonic scale with no sharps or flats in equal temperament like the modern piano.Then for each note  there are from four to twelve MANDAL which can make from one sixth to one half step difference in the pitch. With the help of these MANDAL’s one can use also all quarter tones at the intervals.

PERFORMANCE PRACTICE

The performer holds the KANUN horizontally on the lap,then plucks all three strings for each note simultaneously using plectra(in Turkish MIZRAP), one fastened to each index finger by an adjustable metal ring. Performers may use a tremolo technique (rapid back & forth motions) to extend the sound. The performer manipulates the MANDAL with fingers to play the necessary pitches  to produce the different scale patterns during the performance depending on the mode of the composition (depending on the MAKAM of the composition) and its modulations similar to the technique of the modern pedal harp which uses foot pedals to change pitches. There are twenty-four unequal intervals to the octave in Turkish Music,compared with welve equal intervals in Western Art Music. In recent times,performers have also used all ten fingers without the plectra to create different and soft sounds with the KANUN.They use the finger pads to pluck several notes
at once in a chordal pattern similar to the Classical guitar,or one note at a time in arpeggio patterns similar to the Harp. Thus the  KANUN  can be used to play music written in any key an any style from Eastern Music to Western classical to Jazz and styles around the world.
A successful KANUN  performer must spend many hours of concentrated practice to learn and perfect the techniques.

HOW TO REPLACE THE LEATHER ON THE "KÂNUN" ?

 

TOOLS NEEDED:

Chisel;razor edged knife Metal hammer that can be heated in flame Light hammer for pins;long nosed pliers Heat source:flame for the hammer and burner to heat glue Permanent ink ball point pen Fine saw and Miter tool to cut the trim Straight edge(about 4x6 inches) Vacuum cleaner

 

MATERIALS NEEDED:

 

New leather to be installed Pins(one and one-half inch drapery pins-heavier than sewing pins) Wood strips for finishing

Number 220 emery cloth Glue:Natural gluten glue Shellac Electrical tape to protect varnish of the instrument while working

Long narrow board with holes to string the strings Old plastic liter bottle with top cut off to soak leather

 

PREPARATION OF GLUE

 

Put 4-5 tablespoons of gluten granules in about a half cup of cold water in a jar and let expand for 3 or 4 hours. Put the jar of cold glue in the top of a Turkish tea pot filled with water.  Place on a burner and boil about 10 hours,adding water when necessary. Remove the first "skin" that forms with a wooden paddle. When the second skin forms(or third),it is ready.

 

PREPARATION OF THE INSTRUMENT

 

A.Remove the strings and the bridge.

B.If the strings are old: Cut the strings off with a knife on top of the holes. Remove the string knots beneath with long nose pliers.

C.If the strings do not need replacing: Remove the strings one at a time and put the strings in the board with holes preserving the same order,and put aside.

D.Remove all old trim and old leather.

E.Put a strip of electrical tape on the body of the "Kânun" next to the leather section to protect the finish.

 

HEAT THE HAMMER AND GLUE

 

A.Place the metal hammer in the heat source to heat.

B.Heat(reheat) the glue in the top of the double boiler

 

PREPARE THE LEATHER

 

A.Put the stiff leather on the "Kânun" bright-side up and cut off a tiny corner to mark the upper right corner.

B.Using a permanent ink pen,draw outline of all edges and wood support pieces.

C.Trim the leather to size with razor edge knife.

D.Using the emery cloth ,rough up the non-bright side along the edges to insure the glue will stick.

E.Roll up the leather lengthwise and place in cool water in the old plastic bottle and soak for about 15 minutes.Remove when

soft and hand to dry.

 

CLEANING THE "KÂNUN"S LEATHER AREA

A.Remove all old glue

   1.Using the chisel,scrape away all glue and leather.

   2.Using the flame heated hammer,slowly melt remaining old glue.

   3.Scrape away the melted charred glue.

   4.Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the wood is absolutely clean.

   5.Clean the area frequently with a damp cloth.

B.When all traces of old glue are gone,finish with emery cloth to have a clean and slightly rough finish so that the glue will

stick.

C.Vacuum away all old scraps and dirt.(use vacuum cleaner)

 

 

INSTALL NEW LEATHER

 

A-.Alternate putting glue on the wood and laying out the leather On top,one section at a time.

   1.Using the pin paddle,put glue on the wood and spread it out with the tip of the pinky finger to make sure it is even.

   2.Rool up the damp leather and carefully lay it out on the "Kânun",allowing a little ease.

 

B-Put the leather in place and tap a pin every inch along the outer edge of the area and down the support pieces.

 

C-Allow the leather to dry naturally at room temperature,with no lights away from heat sources.

 

D-When the leather is dry,(the color changes and it sounds like a drum when tapped),remove the pins with the wire cutter pliers gripping the pins at the very bottom of the pins next to the leather.

 

INSTALL WOOD TRIM

 

A.Tape the wood strips together and cut the long pieces first, mitering the corners like a picture frame.Then cut the ends and support pieces.

B.Shellac the wood strips and let dry.

C.Glue the trim strips over the leather,and let dry thoroughly.

D.Use clamps and strips of wood to insure glue adheres well.

 

REINSTALL THE BRIDGE AND PRESENT STRINGS (OR INSTALL NEW STRINGS*)

A.Put the bridge back in place in the center of each leather section.The thicker edge is closer to the bottom of the "Kânun".

B.Replace the strings on the pegs and tune the instrument.

C.Check frequently whether the bridge is perpendicular to the "Kânun".To keep the bridge straight up,push the bridge gently with the tuning key toward the end of the "Kânun".

 

INSTALL NEW STRINGS IF NECESSARY

 

A.Lay out the strings in order of diameter size.

B.Begin with the strings with the smallest diameter

C.For each string,cut diagonally one stringth length.

D.Put the diagonal cut end through the hole from top to underneath.

E.Tie a fisherman's knot as small as possible on the end through the hole .On the strings with the smallest diameter,make a

double knot.

F.Pull string tightly above the hole and attach to the pegs.

G.Tune the instrument,and keep the bridge perpendicular to the leather.

tahiraydogdu@turkmusikisi.com