çifteli
The çifteli, çiftetelli saz (Turkish: 'doubled', 'double stringed saz', çiftelia, qifteli) is a plucked string instrument, with only two strings, played by Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro. The çifteli is a common folk instrument played in weddings and at concerts similar to the related instruments like bağlama or cura. It is mainly used in folk music (in particular Albanian folk music) as well as in various musical styles such as the performances of Nikollë Nikprelaj.
Also recorded as Cifteli · Ciftelia · Chiftelia · Qiftelia
çifteli
Yes1975 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Name
- Çifteli
- Field
- plucked string instrument
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Documentary summary
The çifteli, çiftetelli saz (Turkish: 'doubled', 'double stringed saz', çiftelia, qifteli) is a plucked string instrument, with only two strings, played by Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro. The çifteli is a common folk instrument played in weddings and at concerts similar to the related instruments like bağlama or cura. It is mainly used in folk music (in particular Albanian folk music) as well as in various musical styles such as the performances of Nikollë Nikprelaj.
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Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
gnd · 1207550116 · wikidata · Q272827
In this article
Overview
Overview
It is also used to accompany Albanian epics and ballads.
nja burre i vjeter duke loz ne cifteli
OdettMelody
Nje burre duke luajtur muzik ne cifteli prane museut te skenderbeut ne kruje
White 68
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Çifteli • Names — Çiftetelli saz • Background — string • Classification — Plucked string instrument; fretted lute • Hornbostel Sachs — 321.321-5 • Hornbostel Sachs Desc — Fretted pear-shaped bowl lute with a neck, played by plucking. • Developed — Albanian speaking areas • Illustration — Çifteli
Construction
Construction
Çifteli vary in size, but are most often tuned to B 3 and E 4 (comparable to the top two strings of a guitar, which is classically tuned as "E 2 A 2 D 3 G 3 B 3 E 4 "). Usually the lower string is played as a drone, with the melody played on the higher string. The çifteli is a fretted instrument, but unlike most, it is not fretted in a chromatic scale (one fret per semitone), but rather in a diatonic scale, with seven notes to the octave. The çifteli is a microtonal instrument, with makam Hüseyni being used on some çiftelis.
Etymology
Etymology
The term çifteli and çiftetelli are derived from Turkish çift ('double') and tel ('wire', 'string'), with the Turkish suffix -li ('with'), so çiftetelli means 'with doubled strings', it takes the name from the number of strings used.
History
History
Being a Albanian folk instrument the çifteli originates from Balkan Peninsula particularly from Albanian speaking territories. The instrument delivers a unique melody, sound and also acts as accompany instrument to singing. The çifteli is closely related and similar to other common stringed instruments like the bağlama, cura, balkan tambura in many aspects but has its unique sound and character. It is also can be regarded as unique instrument rather than a modification or a derivative of common stringed instruments.
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority file
- Gemeinsame Normdatei 1207550116, Çiftelia.
General reference · Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q272827: çifteli
Reputable secondary · Wikidata
Citations
References
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authority file
Gemeinsame Normdatei 1207550116, Çiftelia.Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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