Table of Contents
What is the history of the sitar?
The word sitar is derived from the Persian word sehtar, meaning “three-stringed.” The instrument appears to have descended from long-necked lutes taken to India from Central Asia. The sitar flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries and arrived at its present form in the 18th century.
How does a sitar produce sound?
As a stringed instrument, a sitar may have as few as 18 or as many as 21 metal strings. There are usually five or six played strings, one or two drone strings, and as many as a dozen sympathetic strings. The drone and sympathetic strings resonate along with the played strings, giving the sitar its characteristic sound.
What is the history of the instrument?
The history of musical instruments dates to the beginnings of human culture. Early musical instruments may have been used for rituals, such as a horn to signal success on the hunt, or a drum in a religious ceremony. Cultures eventually developed composition and performance of melodies for entertainment.
Who discovered sitar?
Amir Khusrow
It was also theorized in Muslim tradition, that the sitar was invented, or rather developed by Amir Khusrow (c. 1253-1325), a famous Sufi inventor, poet and pioneer of Khyal, Tarana and Qawwali, during the thirteenth century.
What sitar is made of?
Sitar used by the Indian musician, Ravi Shankar. Made of teak, gourds (the two resonators), metal (the strings) and bone (the inlaid decoration). The sitar is a long-necked string instrument with both primary and supplementary strings, taughtened at the top of the neck by plugs.
What are the objects that produce sound?
Everyday Examples of Sound Energy
- an air conditioning fan.
- an airplane taking off.
- a ballerina dancing in toe shoes.
- a balloon popping.
- the bell dinging on a microwave.
- a boombox blaring.
- a broom swishing.
- a buzzing bee.
What was the first musical instrument in history?
The oldest musical instrument in the world (60,000 years) The oldest musical instrument in the world, a 60,000-year-old Neanderthal flute is a treasure of global significance. It was discovered in Divje babe cave near Cerkno and has been declared by experts to have been made by Neanderthals.
What is a sitar tuned to?
A sitar can be tuned a variety of ways and can be tuned to different keys usually from B to D. A fairly standard tuning is the key of C; however, certain performers such as Ravi Shankar tune their sitars to C#. Also note that various ragas demand that the sitar be re-tuned to a different key.
How does the sitar different from guitar?
The strings of a sitar can be 18, 19 or 20. Six to seven of these strings are played while the rest are sympathetic strings. The played strings run over the curved and raised frets. There are only six strings in a standard guitar.