(Georgian: ჩანგი) (čangi) A Georgian traditional instrument called the changi is preserved only in one region of Georgia: the Svaneti (western  Svanetian Changi mountainous part).
The changi consists of two main parts: body and supplementary elements, which are represented by keys  and tuners.
The body consists of horizontal and vertical parts.
The horizontal part the resonator is made out of a long hollowed tree and has the shape of a semi-cylinder.
Plate of about 4 mm with a small curvature in the middle is nailed onto it.
The plate has six notches for buttons  to fasten the strings, they are fastened at the same distance from the sides of the resonator.
The vertical part is straight and flat.
It has holes for the tuners.
The tip of the vertical part is inserted into the horizontal part forming a right angle.
On both parts small wooden sticks are nailed parallel to the strings.
The changi is mainly made of softwood; the most popular material is fir, but sometimes pine is used.
The changi has 6 or 7 strings.
The tuning of a six-string Changi is “fa”, “sol”, “la”, “si”, “do”, “re”.
The seven-string changi has the same tuning but its scale begins with “mi”.
Special proportions are kept by changi "Deer" the instrument makers when designing changi.
It is mostly played by women and is generally used for accompaniment.
Solo songs are often accompanied with it.
But melodies performed on this instrument represent the transcription of Svanetian national “Saperkhulo” (a dance) melodies not the original instrumental music.
Only one changi is used while accompanying solo melodies.
Nevertheless, combining chuniri and changi into ensembles was quite frequent.
The changi is quite popular in Svaneti.
It was considered to be the instrument of “sorrow”.
According to the sayings, it was often played to comfort a person in his grief.
There is a legend connected with Changi that tells us the story of an old man whose son was killed in a war and who found an expression of his grief in a sad melody of his changi.
The changi, in the Svanetian language, is also called in Svanetian changi “Shimekvshe,” which means a broken arm.
The Svanetian changi is recognized to be one of the most ancient string instruments.
It has existed since the 4th century B.C. It is worthy of note that one of the most ancient nations, the Sumerians, who lived in western Asia and are thought to have been closely connected with the ancestors of the Georgians, with ties of kinship, had a similar instrument that looked like the Svanetian harp.
There is a supposition about the origin of the changi, according which it must have been originated from a bow.
This weapon is not a particular nation's invention.
Thus, the changi could have been invented independently in different nations.
The instruments similar to Changi were widespread in many ancient Eastern counties: in Egypt, Shumereti, Babylon, Iran, China, Greece, etc.

Tuning of the six-stringed changi: f – g – a – h – c1 – d1.

Tuning of the seven-stringed changi: e - f – g – a – h – c1 – d1.

The traditional technique of making a Svanetian changi was inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia list in 2015.
(Georgian: ჩანგი) (čangi) A Georgian traditional instrument called the changi is preserved only in one region of Georgia: the Svaneti (western  Svanetian Changi mountainous part). The changi consists of two main parts: body and supplementary elements, which are represented by keys  and tuners. The body consists of horizontal and vertical parts. The horizontal part the resonator is made out of a long hollowed tree and has the shape of a semi-cylinder. Plate of about 4 mm with a small curvature in the middle is nailed onto it. The plate has six notches for buttons  to fasten the strings, they are fastened at the same distance from the sides of the resonator. The vertical part is straight and flat. It has holes for the tuners. The tip of the vertical part is inserted into the horizontal part forming a right angle. On both parts small wooden sticks are nailed parallel to the strings. The changi is mainly made of softwood; the most popular material is fir, but sometimes pine is used. The changi has 6 or 7 strings. The tuning of a six-string Changi is “fa”, “sol”, “la”, “si”, “do”, “re”. The seven-string changi has the same tuning but its scale begins with “mi”. Special proportions are kept by changi "Deer" the instrument makers when designing changi. It is mostly played by women and is generally used for accompaniment. Solo songs are often accompanied with it. But melodies performed on this instrument represent the transcription of Svanetian national “Saperkhulo” (a dance) melodies not the original instrumental music. Only one changi is used while accompanying solo melodies. Nevertheless, combining chuniri and changi into ensembles was quite frequent. The changi is quite popular in Svaneti. It was considered to be the instrument of “sorrow”. According to the sayings, it was often played to comfort a person in his grief. There is a legend connected with Changi that tells us the story of an old man whose son was killed in a war and who found an expression of his grief in a sad melody of his changi. The changi, in the Svanetian language, is also called in Svanetian changi “Shimekvshe,” which means a broken arm. The Svanetian changi is recognized to be one of the most ancient string instruments. It has existed since the 4th century B.C. It is worthy of note that one of the most ancient nations, the Sumerians, who lived in western Asia and are thought to have been closely connected with the ancestors of the Georgians, with ties of kinship, had a similar instrument that looked like the Svanetian harp. There is a supposition about the origin of the changi, according which it must have been originated from a bow. This weapon is not a particular nation's invention. Thus, the changi could have been invented independently in different nations. The instruments similar to Changi were widespread in many ancient Eastern counties: in Egypt, Shumereti, Babylon, Iran, China, Greece, etc.
Tuning of the six-stringed changi: f – g – a – h – c1 – d1.
Tuning of the seven-stringed changi: e - f – g – a – h – c1 – d1.
The traditional technique of making a Svanetian changi was inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Georgia list in 2015.
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