Tar is a traditional lute, long-necked and plucked, which is played in various Azerbaijani communities.
Caucasian tars, also called Azerbaijani tars, or "11 string tars" differ slightly from Persian tars in shape and were developed by Sadigjan around 1870, from the Persian tar.
This instrument has been developed from the original Persian tar around the year 1870 by Sadigjan who changed the shape and the build from the Persian tar. It has an extra bass string along the side of the instrument which has a raised nut and it has one or two double resonance strings via small metal nuts halfway up the neck.
It is one of the most popular musical instruments in the country, featured alone or with other instruments in many traditional styles of music. The craftsmanship of making the music begins with the careful selection of materials for the instrument. For the body, mulberry wood is used, nut wood is used for the neck, and pear wood is used for the tuning pegs.
In the 18th century, it was revised into its current sound range, and it has remained one of the most important instruments in Iranian and Caucasus music, especially Persian classical music, and the preferred instrument of the radif.
Crafters use various tools to make a hollow body that appears to be a figure eight, which is then covered in an ox's thin pericardium. The fretted neck is attached, metal strings are added, and the body is inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The instrument is held horizontally against the chest, with the strings played with a plectrum and the instrument adding various techniques and strokes to add color.
Playing the tar at weddings and social gatherings and in public concerts is an essential part of Azerbaijani culture. Young people within their community learn the skills through word of mouth, demonstration, and educational musical institutions. Azerbaijanis' cultural identity is strongly shaped by the skills and workmanship of the tar.
The melody of the tar was considered useful for headaches, insomnia, and melancholy. It was also believed to alleviate nervous and muscle spasms. Listening to the tar was thought to induce a quiet, philosophical mood, which encouraged the listener to reflect upon life. The melody was solemn and soothing, which caused a person to relax and fall asleep. As of today, the tar still plays an important role, both as part of the trio and as a solo, in the art of mugam, popular and traditional in Azerbaijan.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/craftsmanship-and-performance-art-of-the-tar-a-long-necked-string-musical-instrument-00671) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tar_(string_instrument)) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tar_(Azerbaijani_instrument)#:~:text=History,-See%20also%3A%20Tar&text=Tar%20(string%20instrument)-,The%20%22Caucasian%20tar%22%20or%20%22Azerbaijani%20tar%22%20or%20%22,build%20and%20has%20more%20strings.)