Šargija

Infobox Instrument
name=Šargija
names=


classification=
*Plucked string instruments
range=
related=
* Bouzouki (Greece)
* Buzuq (Lebanon)
*Tambura
*BaglamaThe šargija is a plucked, fretted long necked chordophone used in the folk music of various Balkan countries, including Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia.

The šargija originated in the areas of Eastern Europe controlled by the Ottoman Empire, and is played by Muslims, Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats. Its original four strings have been increased to six or even seven. The šargija usually accompanies the violin, and has a jangling sound, similar to the Turkish saz.The sharki (or sargija) is a similar instrument as the two-string qiftelia, but with more strings and looking more like a primitive saz. Spelling is sometimes: sarkia or sharki or sharkia. Usually there are three courses of metal strings. The frets are often inlayed metal frets, in a non-western pattern. Body could be made from separate staves, or carved from one piece of wood.

Use

The šargija is mostly used by the Bosnians in Bosnian root music. The tamburica is associated with Croats. The tambura with the Serbs.

ources

* [http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/europe3.htm Atlas of Plucked Instruments]
* [http://jazz.sdsu.edu/courseM151/weeks11-15/Eastern_Europe.htm JazzStudied Website] — San Diego State University