Qanun

The qanun is a trapezoid wooden box strung with many strings, usually three to each note. The player rests it on the knees and plucks with picks worn on the index fingers.

Small metal levers along the edge let the player raise or lower the pitch slightly while playing, making the fine intervals of Eastern music possible.

The qanun has been known in Azerbaijan since the Middle Ages and in the 20th century joined folk-instrument orchestras and mugham ensembles.