|
|
 |
|
History of Sitar
Sitar is a stringed instrument.
It was invented by Amir Khusrau, a legend in Indian classical music.
In the beginning there were only three strings in sitar -‘Se’ means three and ‘taar’ means string, hence the name.
Over the period of time, more strings were added and now it has seven strings.
There are two kinds of sitars:
Ordinary - with seven strings.
Tarfdaar - with nineteen strings
Ordinary sitar is more popular among students, as it is easier to learn and affordable than the Tarfdaar sitar.
Sitar is played by a mizrab/plectrum, fixed on the index finger of the right hand.
The sitar has 7 shudh swaras - 4 komal and 1 teevr swara.
| The Indian names of swaras on sitar: |
The Westren names of swars |
| Sa/Shadj |
Tonic |
| Re/Rishabh (komal) |
Semitone |
| Re (shudh) |
Major tone |
| Ga/Gandhar (komal) |
Minor third |
| Ga (shudh) |
Major third |
| Ma/Madhyam(shudh) |
fourth/subdominant |
| Ma (teevr) |
Augmented fourth |
| Pa/Pancham |
Fifth/dominant |
| Dha/Dhaivat(komal) |
Minor sixth |
| Dha(shudh) |
Major sixth |
| Ni/Nishaad(komal) |
Minor seventh |
| Ni(shudh) |
Major seventh |
| Sa |
Octave/Tonic |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
