Arabic vs. Turkish Qanun: Five Differences That Actually Matter
So you’re looking at the qanun and you want to know: Arabic or Turkish? The differences between Arabic Qanun and Turkish Qanun aren’t just geographic. They determine what music you can actually play, how the instrument sounds, and how hard it’ll be to find one. They’re both qanuns, same basic shape, same playing approach, but they’re built for different musical worlds. Here’s what actually separates them.
- Why the lever system is the single biggest technical difference between the two
- Which maqam traditions each instrument can handle
- How the sound characters differ – and which suits your playing style
- Size and portability trade-offs
- Where to actually buy each type and how long it takes
- A simple framework to decide which one is right for you
What Is the Qanun, Anyway?
The qanun (also spelled kanun, kanoon, or kanon) is a plucked zither found across the Middle East, North Africa, and into Central Asia. Picture a large, flat trapezoid with 78 to 84 strings arranged in groups of three. Players pluck with plectrums attached to rings on their index fingers, and the result is that distinctive layered shimmer, a cascading sound you’ll find throughout Arabic orchestras and Turkish classical ensembles.
Both the Arabic and Turkish versions share this basic shape and playing approach. The differences live in the details – and those details matter enormously once you actually start playing.
The Lever System: Where the Two Traditions Split
This is the difference that shapes everything else. Every note on a qanun has a row of small metal levers called mandals. You flip them up or down with your left hand to shift the pitch of a string group mid-performance – similar in concept to how a pedal harp changes tuning, but faster and more direct. The number of levers per note is where Arabic and Turkish instruments part ways dramatically.
The Arabic qanun has four levers per note. The Turkish qanun has twelve levers per note. That’s a threefold difference, and it comes directly from how each tradition divides a whole tone.
In Arabic music theory – as systematized by Al-Farabi – a whole tone is divided into four equal quarters. The Arabic qanun needs exactly four levers to cover those four gradations. Think of it as a cake cut into four equal slices: the Arabic system maps cleanly onto that grid, and the instrument reflects it.
Turkish music theory carves the same whole tone differently. It uses nine equal units called komas. Those nine komas, spread across adjacent semitones, give you twelve possible pitch positions within the Turkish system – hence twelve levers. Turkish levers are also physically lighter and snap more easily, making rapid chromatic shifts more fluid. Arabic levers require a bit more deliberate hand pressure, though it becomes second nature with practice.
Here’s the critical point that every buyer needs to hear: you can play Arabic maqam on a Turkish qanun, but you cannot play Turkish maqam on an Arabic qanun. The Arabic instrument simply doesn’t have enough lever positions to produce the fine microtonal gradations that Turkish maqam requires. If your goal is Turkish classical music – the komas and all – the Turkish instrument is the only option. If you’re focused on Arabic music, either instrument works technically, but the Arabic qanun is its natural home.
Sound character: warm bass vs. airy throughout
Listen to an Arabic qanun and the first thing you notice is the bass. The lowest strings on an Arabic qanun are wound metal – the same way a guitar’s bass strings are wound. That metal core gives them a clear, deep resonance that one experienced player described as a “chocolatey bass.” Arabic qanun players love having that warm, grounded foundation under their higher notes. The instrument has two distinct sonic personalities: rich bass down low, bright shimmer up top.
Turkish qanuns don’t have this. Their strings – across the entire range, including the low end – are made from gut, crystal, or nylon. No metal winding means no distinct bass presence in the lower registers. The overall sound character is brighter and more airy throughout, with a kind of floating homogeneity from top to bottom. It’s not a lesser sound, just a different one.
The contrast is most noticeable in the lowest two to three octaves. Strum across the bass strings of an Arabic qanun and that deep resonance lands immediately. Do the same on a Turkish qanun and the sound is lighter, less punchy. If a clear bass register matters to your playing or your arrangements, Arabic is the answer. If you prefer a more transparent, crystalline sound across the full range, the Turkish character will suit you better.
Size and Portability
Arabic qanuns are larger. Noticeably so. They’re wider, deeper, and heavier – and if you play long sessions or gig regularly, that weight accumulates. Some players use a stand to take the load off their lap and lower back, especially during multi-hour rehearsals or concerts.
Turkish qanuns are more compact and lighter across the board. That makes them a real advantage for anyone who travels frequently or flies to performances. For players with back problems, the smaller form factor of a Turkish instrument can genuinely matter over a long practice session. It’s not a minor difference – players who have switched between the two notice it immediately.
Worth noting: the larger body of the Arabic qanun contributes to that fuller, more resonant sound, especially in the bass register. Size and tone are connected. You don’t get one without the other.
Availability: Where You Can Actually Find One
This one catches a lot of buyers off guard. If you’re in the US or Europe, Turkish qanuns are significantly easier to purchase. Multiple shops carry them with standard online ordering – add to cart, pay, wait for shipping. Clean and simple.
Arabic qanuns are a different story. Far fewer online retailers stock them. In most cases, you’ll need to contact the maker directly – typically via WhatsApp or Messenger – to arrange a custom build. Wait times can stretch to several months depending on the maker’s schedule. If you’re planning a trip to Egypt, Tunisia, or Lebanon, buying one in person makes a lot more sense than navigating international direct orders from abroad.
Neither situation is a dealbreaker, but it’s worth factoring into your timeline. If you want a qanun in the next month without back-and-forth negotiations, a Turkish instrument is the practical choice. You can browse what’s currently available in our Kanun collection to get a feel for the options.
Maintenance: What Breaks and What to Do About It
For day-to-day maintenance, both instruments are roughly equal. Strings for either type are easy to source online. Plectrums and cases are available for both. Replacing pegs doesn’t require a specialist on either instrument.
Where they diverge is major repairs. If something goes wrong with the body – a cracked soundboard, a broken bridge – you need a specialist. For a Turkish qanun, that often means shipping it back to Turkey or finding a local luthier who knows the instrument. For an Arabic qanun sourced from Egypt or Tunisia, the logistics can be trickier if you’re abroad, and shipping a large, fragile instrument internationally is expensive and stressful.
The soundboard – the white membrane made from fish skin – is the most delicate element of either instrument. If that gets damaged, you’re in professional-repair territory regardless of which type you own. Treat it accordingly.
Differences Between Arabic Qanun and Turkish Qanun: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Arabic Qanun | Turkish Qanun |
|---|---|---|
| Levers per note | 4 (older models: 8) | 12 |
| Maqam compatibility | Arabic maqam only | Arabic and Turkish maqam |
| Bass strings material | Metal wound | Gut / crystal / nylon |
| Sound character | Warm, clear bass; bright treble | Airy, bright throughout |
| Size | Larger, heavier | Smaller, more compact |
| Lever action | Firmer, more deliberate | Lighter, more fluid |
| Online availability | Limited; often direct from maker | Widely available |
Watch: The Differences Explained Live
Before you decide, watch this breakdown from an experienced qanun player who covers these exact differences – including a close-up look at the lever system and a direct comparison of how the two instruments sound:
A live demonstration comparing the two types – lever systems, maqam compatibility, and how they actually sound side by side.
Which One Should You Buy?
Here’s the honest answer: if you’re not yet sure which tradition you want to explore, start with the Turkish qanun. You can play Arabic maqam on a Turkish instrument, but you can’t go the other way. The Turkish qanun gives you more musical flexibility right out of the box. Add in the smaller size, lighter lever action, and easier availability, and it’s the lower-risk entry point for most players still finding their direction.
If you know Arabic music is your world – if you’re studying with Arabic teachers, playing in Arabic ensembles, and you want that deep bass presence – then the Arabic qanun is the right call. The sound is richer in the lower registers, it’s built around the Arabic maqam system from the ground up, and it’ll feel like home in that musical context.
A few specific situations worth naming:
- Want to play Turkish maqam authentically? Turkish qanun only. The Arabic instrument can’t do it.
- Focused on Arabic music? Either works technically, but the Arabic qanun is built for it.
- Back issues or frequent travel? Turkish qanun – smaller and lighter makes a real difference.
- Need that defined warm bass in your arrangements? Arabic qanun delivers it; Turkish doesn’t.
- Want to order one without months of back-and-forth? Turkish qanun is far easier to find online.
Whatever you land on, take a look at the Kanun collection at Ethnic Musical to see what’s in stock and ready to ship.
Final Thoughts
The qanun is an unusual instrument to end up wanting. That layered, cascading shimmer is immediately recognizable once you’ve heard it – and it tends to stick. If you’re drawn to it, that’s a good enough reason to go further.
Know your maqam tradition, your sound preferences, and the practical realities – mainly the availability gap if you’re going Arabic. The decision mostly makes itself once those are clear. Both instruments reward serious time with them.