Dotar (Dotār); Persian Musical Instrument

The dotār is an instrument of the plectrum chordophon family which in some areas of Iran is known by other names such as: tā modireh, tut bār (in the Torkmena area of ​​the Golestān region) or tanbur (northern Kermānshāh, Lorestān or the ancient Khorāsān ).

This instrument consists of a harmonic half-pear shaped case with a wooden lining, a long handle, keys, two pegs, two ropes and a bridge. The number of keys in the dotār varies according to the different zones.

In the past the material of the strings consisted of silk, gut, horse bristles and the wire was made of metal whereas today only the latter is used. The instruments of the dotār family are played without the pick and with the fingers of the hand. The tanbur of Kermānshāh and the eastern dotār is played mostly in mystical gatherings, whereas the dotār of the northern Khorāsān, of Torkmen Sahra, of the area of ​​Kotol and of the eastern Māzandarān finds greater use in wedding parties and convivial gatherings.