The bouzouki is a string instrument, originally created in Greece in the late 20s. It belongs to the long neck lutes category, and its roots are to be found in more ancient instruments, such as the Pandouris, the Tambouras and the Turkish Saz. In Greece the Bouzouki is both a comping and a lead instrument, so it's often played either to back up a singer or to play arpeggios, melodies and complex improvisations.