About
the Rebab

An ancient instrument, the rebab has roots that can be traced back to the 9th century and in some sources it is said to be the first bowed string instrument that emerged from Central Asia. In time, the rebab was widely spread throughout North Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Near East and the Far East, evolving into different shapes and receiving different names as its voyage progressed.

​

The Turkish rebab consists of a body made of coconut shell with a goat skin stretched over it. It has three strings: a top string made of horsehair and two others wound with silver wire. It's fretless fingerboard makes an expressive playing possible. The rebab also has an important place in the Sufi music tradition of Turkey. The greatest Sufi mystic Mevlâna (1202-1273, known as Rumi in the west) is said to have played the rebab.

​

Following the development of other string instruments with wider sound range and louder volume, the rebab has been gradually forgotten. Now, only few people continue to revive this tradition, but still rebab's unique and expressive timbre continues to enchant the listeners. 

Over the years I had the pleasure of playing the rebab in many different corners of the world including the U.S.A., Italy, Tuva Republic,  Croatia, U.K., France, Georgia and Taiwan, and I look forward to future journeys with my instrument.