tar
what it is
Tar is a plucked stringed instrument (a long-necked lute) that is played in Iran (Persia), Caucasian countries (like Azerbaijan, Armenia and so on) and central Asia (like Tajikistan). It exists in two forms now, the Persian (that is named Tar-e-Shiraaz or Irani) and Caucasian (that is named Tar-e-Ghafghaaz). The Persian tar is carved from a block of mulberry wood and has a deep, curved body with two bulges shaped like a figure 8.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make tar a playlist
turn these 13 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is tar?
Tar is a plucked stringed instrument (a long-necked lute) that is played in Iran (Persia), Caucasian countries (like Azerbaijan, Armenia and so on) and central Asia (like Tajikistan). It exists in two forms now, the Persian (that is named Tar-e-Shiraaz or Irani) and Caucasian (that is named Tar-e-Ghafghaaz). The Persian tar is carved from a block of mulberry wood and has a deep, curved body with two bulges shaped like a figure 8.
What are good tar albums to start with?
Try hejrani by Hossein Alizadeh, Avaz-e Khak by Fardin Karim Khâvari, In The Mirror of Delusions(Dar Ayeneye Ohum)-Persian Traditional Music by Targol Khalighi, and In The Mirror Of Delusions(Dar Ayeneye Ohum)-Persian Traditional Music by Hesam Inanlou.
Who are some women making tar?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/tar/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making tar, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21