he baglama and the tzouras are small, long-necked lutes derived from the bouzouki. The three instruments make up the typical ensemble associated with rebetiko music and songs. This music, with its strong Turkish influence, appeared in Greek port cities late in the last century. It soon became the music of the streets and cafés, associated with a tough milieu. In the 1920s, the baglama and the tzouras met with the same social disfavour as the bouzouki. Today, the popularity of these instruments has been restored by virtuoso Greek musicians.

Baglama By Constantin Tingas Toronto, Ontario 1991 Maple, ebony, spruce, linden, African padouk Overall length: 57 cm; body: 16 x 12 cm; depth: 6 cm

Opus 94 - Tzouras

Tzouras By Constantin Tingas Toronto, Ontario 1991 Walnut, ash, spruce, linden, ebony, African padouk, plastic Overall length: 87.5 cm; body: 27.5 x 20.5 cm; depth: 15 cm

Opus 95 - Lyra

Originating in the Greek Islands, the lyra is used mostly on Crete and in the Dodecanese. Traditionally, only men played it, to perform dance music. Until the middle of this century, small bells were attached to the bow to provide rhythmic accompaniment. Today, when it is not replaced by the violin, the lyra may be played alone or with instruments such as the laouto, the daouli drum, and dachares tambourines. It is also played with Western instruments.

The body of this lyra was carved from a single piece of mahogany. The soundboard is made of spruce.

Lyra By Constantin Tingas Toronto, Ontario 1991 Honduran mahogany, spruce Overall length: 55 cm; body: 28 x 21 cm; depth: 5 cm