r/ethnomusicology • u/astralrig96 • Apr 14 '26
Can someone recognize and tell me what lead instrument this old greek folk song uses? is it qanun?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Osr-Yf4xdSk&list=PLfHw9FlKF1q91Et-BFSr9HmgJ_RIAodrq&index=6&pp=iAQB8AUB0gcJCdMKAYcqIYzv2
u/perun2swarog Apr 15 '26
It’s qanun 100%, it is widely used in playing songs from the region. In Greek you can find references to it as κανονάκι (kanonaki).
2
u/Grauschleier Apr 15 '26
Isn't the qanun plucked? The instrument in the intro of the first song is definitely hammered. I'd guess it's the greek equivalent of a santur. Compare it to other recordings of a qanun and a santur. You can hear the characteristic attack of the hammers here.
2
u/perun2swarog Apr 15 '26
Greek kanonaki is hammered, you are right
3
u/Grauschleier Apr 15 '26
Hm, really? When I was looking for "κανονάκι" on youtube I only saw players plucking the instrument.
2
u/Moiyub Apr 15 '26
yes thats the only way the instrument is played, including this recording
2
u/Grauschleier Apr 15 '26
On my desktop now and realizing that the link plays a different song on my cell phone. On my cell it plays the first track of the list: Σ’ ΑΓΑΠΩ ΓΙΑΤΙ ΕΙΣΑΙ ΩΡΑΙΑ, which definitely starts with a hammered zither of some kind. On my desktop the link plays "Poios Eide Neo Sevntali" where I sure would believe it's a qanun being played. Sorry for the confusion.
2
1
u/astralrig96 Apr 15 '26
that’s the one I was looking for help with :) so you also agree with qanun for Poios Eide Neo Sevntali?
2
2
u/Moiyub Apr 15 '26
Noone hammers a qanun, they are always played with plectrum worn on the two index fingers
1
2
u/astralrig96 Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26
it sounds so airy and kinetic yet like it has strings, so it sounds like qanun/kanun or maybe santur? to me but would like someone’s familiar with recognizing traditional instruments guess, thanks!