Qushtar (Khushtar) Uyghur Musical Instrument

Chinese: 胡西它尔

Uyghur: خۇشتار

The Qushtar, also spelled at Khushtar, is a 4-stringed instrument. Similarly with the cello, the Qushtar is played with a bow. This instrument is from the Xinjiang province of Western China. The four strings are tuned to G, D, A, and E.

The Khushtar has a body made of staves like a lute or loud. These staves are usually made of mulberry or apricot wood. The soundboard is usually made of pine. The instrument will often have a carving of a bird on the top of the head scroll. The pegs are often made of walnut wood.