Afghan Rebabs

The Afghan rebab is the national instrument of Afghanistan. The rebab was used in the ancient court, and is still used in modern day art and entertainment music. It has three mainstrings and a number of sympathetic strings over a hollow neck and a goat skin resonator. The Afghan rebab also has a very deep body, making it somewhat awkward to hold. The right hand picking techniques for the rebab are complex and sophisticated. Rebabs come in different sizes, depending on the region they are found. The Afghan rebab is found in northern India and Pakistan probably due to the Afghan rule in those regions in the 18th Centruy. The rebab was the precursor to the Indian sarod, which is regarded as one of India's most important instruments.