A setar (, ) is a stringed instrument, a type of lute used in Persian traditional music, played solo or accompanying voice. It is a member of the tanbur family of long-necked lutes with a range of more than two and a half octaves. Originally a three stringed instrument, a fourth string was added by Mushtaq Ali Shah by the mid 19th century. It is played with the index finger of the right hand.
It has been speculated that the setar originated in Persia by the 9th century C.E. A more conservative estimate says "it originated in the 15th century, or even earlier."
Although related to the tanbur, in recent centuries, the setar has evolved so that, musically, it more closely resembles the tar, both in tuning and playing style.
Etymology
According to Curt Sachs, Persians chose to name their lutes around the word tar, meaning string, combined with a word for the number of strings. Du + tar is the 2-stringed dutār, se + tar is the 3-stringed setār, čartar (4 strings), pančtār (5 strings). The modern Iranian instrument's name سهتار is a combination of سه —meaning "three"—and تار —meaning "string", therefore the word gives the meaning of "three-stringed" or "tri-stringed".
In spite of the instrument's name implying it should have three strings, the modern instrument actually has four strings. One was added in the 19th century. Strings however are grouped so that musicians are still dealing with three groups or courses of strings, instead of four separately played strings.
Sharing a name
Other tanbur-family instruments share the setar name. Sharing the name may not mean a direct connection between the musical traditions.
In Tajikistan, the Pamiri Setor is larger than the Iranian setar. It has 3 playing strings and sympathetic strings (as many as 8–12). It is played with a "thimblelike metal plectrum" worn on a finger.
In Baluchistan, the setar is larger than the Iranian setar, and is a "rhythmic drone" instrument to accompany singing. Its three strings are set up to resemble the dutar's two strings: one bass string and a pair of strings tune "a 4th higher."
In Pakistan, there exists the Chitrali sitar with 5 strings in 3 courses, with melody played on the top two strings.
In Xinjiang, China, Satar (; , Sàtǎ'ěr) is an important instrument in 12 muqam. It is a bowed lute with 13 strings, one raised bowing string and 12 sympathetic strings, tuned to the mode of the muqam or piece being played.
In India, the Sitar is an instrument with many forms. Its name is "an Urdu transcription of the Persian sihtār". The Indian instrument was likely adapted from instruments brought by Muslim empires and then developed locally.
Construction
1. Peghead or headstock
2. Pegs
3. Fret above nut
4. Nut
5. Main Frets
6. Side Frets or Secondary Frets
7. Neck
8. Bowl
9. Sound holes
10. Bridge
11. String holder or wire holder
12. Strings
The instrument can be categorized as a neck-bowl instrument. Strings run from the pegs at the top of the neck, across a bone or plastic nut that has grooves to separate them, down the neck, across the bowl, over the bridge and are secured to a string holder at the end of the bowl. The pegs are inserted directly into the end of the instrument's neck, similar to a headstock.
The bowl is structurally similar to the bowl of the tanbur, but smaller and pear-shaped. The length of the bowl is from 26 to 30 cm, its width is between 12 and 16 cm and its depth is about 13 cm. It is usually made of mulberry or walnut wood. The structure of the bowl can be either a single piece of wood or made of separate and glued pieces. The soundboard of the bowl is made of thin sheets of wood. It has sound holes to let the sound escape the bowl. The musician's hand may be placed on it while playing. The length of the neck is 40 to 48 cm long and 3 cm wide. A 12 cm section at the top is set aside for the pegs. The neck may be decorated with camel bone, covering the neck to make it more beautiful and to extend its useful life. The wooden bridge is between 5 and 6 cm long and its height is less than 1 cm. It has shallow grooves for the strings to rest in. The strings, after passing over the bridge from the neck, are secured on the wire holder. The neck has frets made from thin threads made of animal intestines or silk. They are tied in 3 or 4 strands across the neck, and are responsible for dividing the neck into lengths, allowing the musician to find notes. There may be 26 frets, one of which is at the nut and not used to create a note.