Cümbüş

Cumbus

Classification	Plucked string instrument
Related instruments
Banjo Oud

The cümbüş (Turkish pronunciation: [dʒymˈbyʃ]; sometimes approximated as /dʒuːmˈbuːʃ/ by English speakers) is a Turkish stringed instrument of relatively modern origin. Developed in the early 20th century by Zeynelabidin Cümbüş as an oud-like instrument that could be heard as part of a larger ensemble. In construction it resembles both the American banjo and the Middle Eastern oud. A fretless instrument, it has six courses of doubled-strings, and is generally tuned like an oud. In shape, though, it closely resembles the banjo with a metal resonator bowl and skin body head. It has a loud, metallic, resonant tone and is widely heard in Middle Eastern popular music.

Models

The Cümbüş Company in Istanbul, Turkey manufactures several different models. They include:

• The standard cümbüş: short neck, fretless, tuned like an oud
• Saz-cümbüş: long neck, tie-on frets, tuned like the popular Turkish instrument the Baglama Saz
• Cura-cümbüş: like the Baglama Saz model but higher pitched like a Cura Saz
• Tambur-cümbüş: super long neck, tuned like Turkish classical instrument the Tambur
• Yaylı tanbur - cümbüş: like the Tambur model, but played much like a cello with a bow
• Guitar-cümbüş: fretted, tuned like a guitar
• Mando-cümbüş: fretted, small, tuned like a mandolin
• Cümbüş-Ukulele: fretted, small, tuned like a Ukulele

The word cümbüş is derived from the Turkish for "fun", as the instrument was marketed as a popular alternative to the more costly classical oud. When Mustafa Kemal Atatürk decreed that families take surnames, Zeynel Abidin adopted the name of his famous instrument. Cümbüş Music is still an active company in Istanbul and manufactures a wide range of traditional Turkish instruments.

Use in Western popular music

• Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour played cümbüş on his solo album On An Island on the track "Then I Close My Eyes". It can also be heard on the album opener "Castellorizon", he also used the instrument to play the same parts on the subsequent tour, performances of which can be seen and heard on the DVD's "Remember That Night" and "Live in Gdańsk".
• Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo played a cümbüş on the Stone Temple Pilots album Shangri-La Dee Da on the track "Regeneration". It can be heard during the chorus.
• Smokey Hormel appeared on Tom Waits' Mule Variations playing cümbüş (credited
• The Hollies' "Stop Stop Stop"
• Guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Eenor played a modified Tambur-cümbüş (Jim Bush) for Les Claypool's side project Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade on Shattering Song (Live Frogs Set 1) as well as on The Buzzards of Green Hill (Purple Onion)

See also

• Banjo mandolin

External links

• History of the Cümbüş
• Dromedary - American World Music group that features the cümbüş
• - Jack Campin's page with photos and technical description
• - Eric Ederer's ethnomusicological site