The Sitar is an Indian String instrument. This plucked string instrument is used most commonly in Indian classical music and hindustani music. The sitar is a fretted string instrument, with a gourd shaped resonating chamber, and anywhere from 18-21 strings, while usually on 6 strings are played the other strings are used for sympathetic vibration. The playing strings are tuned to the Indian scale, while the resonating strings on the back can be tuned to the specific notes used in the raga being performed. The sitar is played from the sitting position. While sitting on the ground the player will balance the sitar on his left knee and right foot, this allows the player to support this instrument without his hands. The curved frets allow for controlled bending of pitch to produce microtones within the raga being played. The Sitar became popular in the western music in the late 60's and 70's when used in songs recorded by the Beatles, The doors, and the Rolling Stones.
This video shows the sitar in its most traditional use. It is alongside the tabla (hand drums to the left of the screen) and the flute on the right.
This video shows the basic tuning of a sitar, and explains the relationship of the Indian solfege based scale to the western scale.
Here we see Ravi Shankar giving a lesson to George Harrison. You can see George playing the sitar and Ravi Shankar speaking the syllables of the notes he his playing, this is an important process of learning any Indian instrument. Little did the world know the lessons between Shankar and Harrison would put the sitar and indian music on the map.
This video shows the amazing detail and craftsmanship that goes into making a Sitar.
This video is a great example of how much Ravi Shankar impacted western popular music. This Song features his two daughters, Anoushka Shankar and Norah Jones. Anoushka is playing the sitar and being accompanied by a tabla player as well as Norah singing.
Sitar is such a unique instrument with its characteristic timbre and use of sympathetic strings. Who would have thought to add strings to an instrument that aren't strummed? Its really cool to see Ravi Shankar training American musicians and a generation later his daughters are continuing that by collaborating and integrating sitar into music.
It is interesting to me that George Harrison wanted to learn how to play this instrument. I love the intermingling of cultures.
ReplyDeleteSitar is such a unique instrument with its characteristic timbre and use of sympathetic strings. Who would have thought to add strings to an instrument that aren't strummed? Its really cool to see Ravi Shankar training American musicians and a generation later his daughters are continuing that by collaborating and integrating sitar into music.
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