How were instruments used before the modern era?

Oriental music is not simply a musical tradition: it is the echo of a thousand-year-old heritage, deeply rooted in the societies of the Middle East and Central Asia.

Before the modern era, traditional oriental instruments served more than just entertainment—they punctuated spiritual life, accompanied rulers, sustained armies, and even healed bodies and minds. This cultural richness, still alive today, fascinates with its historical and symbolic depth.

Here are three major areas that illustrate their importance.

1) Instruments at the service of spirituality

In ancient Eastern civilizations, music was not just a distraction: it was seen as a channel between the material world and the divine .

Instruments played a fundamental role in religious ceremonies , particularly within Sufi and Zoroastrian practices.

The ney , a reed flute with a soft, airy intonation, is a perfect example of this mystical dimension. Used by whirling dervishes during Sufi rituals, the ney was not only played, it was experienced as a prayer, a sacred breath.

Another emblematic example: The qanun , a table zither with plucked strings, whose celestial sounds accompanied spiritual readings in religious schools and palaces.

Even percussion instruments were not left out: the daf , a circular drum often adorned with bells, was used in the trance in certain ritual dances in Iran and Turkey. These instruments were considered vectors of soul elevation, capable of purifying the mind through music.

Far from being accessories, these instruments were perceived as sacred bridges between man and the invisible.

2) Refinement in the heart of the royal palaces

Music was also a court art , carefully cultivated in the palaces of Baghdad, Damascus or Isfahan.

The kings and sultans of the Middle East saw it as a symbol of power and civilization . Court musicians, often trained from a very young age, used instruments of great technical finesse, both in manufacture and execution.

The oud , a lute with a short neck and a curved body, was the noble instrument par excellence. Played solo or in an ensemble, it offered a depth of sound ideal for interpreting complex maqâms (oriental melodic modes).

In the luxurious setting of the royal salons, the musicians also accompanied themselves on the santur , a struck string instrument with a crystalline timbre, as well as the kamancheh , the oriental ancestor of the violin, to create refined pieces intended to amaze the audience.

Santur:

kamancheh:

These performances were not mere entertainment, but sophisticated artistic expressions, as important as poetry or calligraphy.

3) A therapeutic and spiritual function

Less well known to the general public, the therapeutic role of oriental music is nevertheless well documented in Persian and Arabic medical treatises.

As early as the 9th century, scholars such as Al-Farabi and Avicenna recommended certain melodies to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, or emotional imbalances.

Medieval Islamic hospitals, called bimaristans , even incorporated musical sessions into their treatment protocols.

The rebab , a bowed string instrument similar to the violin, produced long, modulated sounds that were particularly soothing. Associated with the ney , it accompanied patients in moments of rest or meditation.

Rebab:

This approach to music therapy was based on the idea that each maqam influenced mood in a specific way—some brought joy, others serenity, or even concentration.

Long before modern medicine, Eastern civilizations understood the healing power of sounds on the body and mind.

Keep tradition alive with Cham Music. If you're ready to dive into the rich and profound world of oriental music, choosing your instrument is an essential step.

At Cham Music, we offer you a wide range of authentic instruments: handcrafted ouds , ney , saz , darbouka , etc.

Each piece is chosen for its sound quality, its artisanal origin, and its fidelity to traditions.

Whether you're a beginner, an experienced musician, or simply an enthusiast, we have the instrument that will stir your soul. Explore our collections now.