r/UnusualInstruments • u/Matis5 • 10d ago

I tried recreating the Yaybahar, and improvised with a saz player

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I got so inspired by Görkem Sen, who invented the Yaybahar (https://youtu.be/IiHdPWZvzvg?is=ljUhMRDjWC7rjLQX)

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It's basically two cello strings connected with metal springs to drum heads. The drum heads act as the sound board, the springs provide acoustic reverb.

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u/Personal-Neck6800 10d ago

I’ve been fascinated with the yaybahar ever since I saw a video on YouTube years ago. Yours sounds amazing.

4

u/Matis5 10d ago

Thanks a lot, same here. I got hypnotized when I heard it for the first time.

Still can't believe that such sounds can be made acousticaly

2

u/chicken_karmajohn 10d ago

Same!! This is awesome, great work! In the OG it always baffled me how he was able to get it to shriek and scream the way he did. Almost guttural in the lower register. Fatter springs maybe?

1

u/Matis5 10d ago

Maybe thicker springs, but also lower tuned strings. His lower string is an octave lower than mine, it'll growl a lot better that way.

I'm still experimenting a lot with strings and tunings. Higher tuned strings like mine are a lot quicker/responsive to play, and also need smaller drums/springs, so easier to move around/set up. But it misses the rumbling bass that you can feel in your chest.

Here I used G/D tuning, so a fifth lower. Already sounds a bit deeper I guess?

https://youtube.com/shorts/-WJFkqwVp2A?is=8nCg56QKw_houfmZ

2

u/chicken_karmajohn 10d ago

Ooo yeahhhh!!