Rubab & Rare Strings

Strings from Around the World

This collection brings together some of the rarest and most evocative plucked string instruments from across the globe:

• Afghan Rubab: A short-necked lute with a rich, resonant body
• Persian Oud: A fretless lute with a deep, resonant tone, widely used in Middle Eastern music
• Saz: A long-necked lute central to Turkish folk music
• Gusli Harp: The oldest Russian multi-string plucked instrument
• Guzheng: A traditional Chinese plucked zither
• Qanun: A Middle Eastern string instrument known for its melodic clarity
• Balian Sape: A traditional boat lute from the Dayak people of Borneo
• Dulcimer: A sweet-sounding stringed instrument, often hammered or plucked
• Greek Lavta: A fretted lute with a bright, percussive tone

Each instrument has been carefully sampled at multiple velocity layers, capturing the full expressive range from delicate pianissimo passages to energetic fortissimo playing.