Glenn Deuman's Sitar Information Page
The
sitar is a Hindustani classical stringed instrument which utilizes
sympathetic strings along with regular strings and a gourd resonating
chamber to produce a very distinctive sound. The sitar has been
ubiquitous in Hindustani classical music since the Middle Ages and
became popular in the West when The Beatles used it in many songs,
including "norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" and "Within You
Without You."
The name sitar comes from the Persian sehtar; seh meaning three and tar meaning string. A similar instrument is used to this day in Afghanistan, and the origan Persian name is still used. Both instruments are most likely derived from the Kurdish tembur, which is a long, lute-like instrument with no gourd resonating chamber. Both the tembur and sehtar were used in pre-Islamic Persia and are used in Iran today. Alternatively, an older Indian instrument called the rudra veena resembles the sitar in some important respects, most notably in the use of gourd resonators. It is possible that the sitar is actually derived from this instrument or that the modern sitar is an amalgamation of the two.
Click on the below links for more information about this amazing instrument!
What are the parts an of a sitar and how does it work?
How can I learn to play sitar?
The name sitar comes from the Persian sehtar; seh meaning three and tar meaning string. A similar instrument is used to this day in Afghanistan, and the origan Persian name is still used. Both instruments are most likely derived from the Kurdish tembur, which is a long, lute-like instrument with no gourd resonating chamber. Both the tembur and sehtar were used in pre-Islamic Persia and are used in Iran today. Alternatively, an older Indian instrument called the rudra veena resembles the sitar in some important respects, most notably in the use of gourd resonators. It is possible that the sitar is actually derived from this instrument or that the modern sitar is an amalgamation of the two.
Click on the below links for more information about this amazing instrument!
What are the parts an of a sitar and how does it work?
How can I learn to play sitar?