SitarSitar

from Indiafrom India

SitarSitar

Most well-known instrument from Most well-known instrument from IndiaIndia

Invented in the 18Invented in the 18thth century century The modern sitar is constructed of The modern sitar is constructed of

wood, gourd, metal, and bone. The wood, gourd, metal, and bone. The wooden neck is around 35 inches wooden neck is around 35 inches long, 3.5 inches wide, and slightly long, 3.5 inches wide, and slightly troughed, terminating at one large troughed, terminating at one large resonating chamber made of gourd. resonating chamber made of gourd.

Playing the SitarPlaying the Sitar

The number of strings varies, but it’s The number of strings varies, but it’s usually around 17.usually around 17.

There are also a series of sympathetic There are also a series of sympathetic strings lying under the frets.  These strings strings lying under the frets.  These strings are almost never played but they vibrate are almost never played but they vibrate whenever the corresponding note is whenever the corresponding note is sounded.  sounded. 

Most of the performance takes place on one Most of the performance takes place on one string (covering 2 octaves).string (covering 2 octaves).

Some artists (and stylistic schools) explore Some artists (and stylistic schools) explore the whole range of the instrument (3½ the whole range of the instrument (3½ octaves) on four strings on the main bridge. octaves) on four strings on the main bridge.

Artists such as Ravi Shankar have Artists such as Ravi Shankar have popularized this instrument around the popularized this instrument around the world. world. 

George Harrison of the Beatles became George Harrison of the Beatles became Shankar’s student in 1966.Shankar’s student in 1966.

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