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Miras-ı Saz

Instrument

Mandal

The small metal levers at the end of each course on the kanun, which change the vibrating length of a string when raised or lowered. On most kanuns a semitone is divided into six mandals: one mandal is about 17 cents, slightly smaller than the theoretical comma (about 22.6 cents). Mandals can also be raised and lowered while playing.

Related: KanunSıra (course)Koma (comma)Kanun instrument

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Sources

The definitions were written in our own words, drawing on sources such as the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, Yılmaz Öztuna's Encyclopedic Dictionary of Turkish Music and Wikipedia; pitch and interval values follow the Arel-Ezgi-Uzdilek system. This content has not yet been reviewed by an expert; if you spot a mistake, please write to us.

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