Description: The qeycheck is a "scull shaped" bowed rebab found in Iran. Having a short neck and a total of eight strings only two of the strings
are bowed, the first string to the left is actually fingered. The
qeychek is played in the South Eastern region of Iran. The rest serve
as sympathetic string who enhance the timbre when played. Several
relatives to the qeycheck are found in North Western India particularly Rajasthan,
and neighboring areas. In Nepal one would find a 4-stringed Sarinda
(see South Asia) who is a closely related instrument to the Qeycheck.
In Pakistan this type of instrument is played amongst the Baluchi
people and is also found and is often accompanied by a form of tambura
(a long necked drone lute) to accompany singing. The qeycheck has a
loud colourful nasal tone when played.
Anatomy of the Qeychek: My specimen is highly ornate with glass mirrors, emerald-like gem stone, beads, coins and various metal trinkets glued onto the instrument. Goat or sheep hide is stretched over the sound hole in which provide support for the bridge. During the stretching the hide small pegs are pushed in to holes in which hold the tension of the hide. A small belt attached to the back of the qeycheck allows for the qeycheck to be held when standing upright during performance