Barbat

Stringed musical instrument used in Azerbaijan in XVI-XVII centuries played with mizrab. Berbet, which includes in oud-type instruments’ family, has bigger body than oud and longer arm.

In particular, berbet is considered as the palace instrument, and detailed information about it was provided in works of Azerbaijani classics, as well as in the creativity of Nizami. It is presumed that “Barbet word derived from bar -  chest and bet -  duckwords. In some sources it is note that it is an  Arabic word, and means waving. In historical sources, as well as from the creativity of Nizami it becomes known that founder of this instrument was famous musician of his time, the founder, skilful performer Barbed. 

In Eastern countries berbet had various types. It first native land is considered to be Saudi Arabia. In many sources there are proofs that berbet has 3, 8, 10 stringed type. Strings are made of silk and gut. Barbet mainly consists of 3 parts - body, head and arm. The body is assembled from combined method of walnut or red plane, head and tuning pegs from walnut tree. Its surface is covered with 4 mm thick pine trees and few sound resonators are drilled on. There are 9-12 curtains on its arm.

The total length is 665 mm, width is 465 mm, height is 250 mm, arm length is 205 mm. Barbet like an ancient oud is tuned in fourth.

It diapason is from big octave’s mi to the second octave’s mi” sound.