Basic Ornamentation Techniques on the Bağlama

Ornaments help performers shape phrases expressively on the bağlama and other instruments. The following are among the most common ornaments in the bağlama family:

Çekme (pull-off): Fret the main note and the lower note behind it at the same time. Pluck the first note, then release the higher fretting finger with a pulling motion to sound the lower note. This gives two notes from one plectrum stroke. The symbol used here is ^.

Çarpma (hammer-on): Unlike a pull-off, this moves from a lower note to a higher one. For example, pluck E, then sound F by pressing a left-hand finger firmly onto the next fret. Its symbol resembles the letter V.

Trill: This can be understood as repeated hammer-ons and pull-offs. After plucking the main note once, alternate rapidly with the adjacent higher fret using the left hand. It is marked “tr”.

Takma: The article describes a strong plectrum stroke that reaches the wooden body, followed by a stroke on the lower strings. A single wrist movement produces two accented sounds. It is often used in playing with a distinctive regional style.

Beng (slide): Play the first note with a plectrum stroke, then slide the fretting finger to the next note without lifting it from the fingerboard. Two connected notes are thus produced from one stroke. In the notation described here, an angled, cap-shaped line links the notes.

Onur Severgün
Rekor Sanat – Bağlama Teacher