How Can I Learn To Play Sitar?




During the 1960's, the sitar became very popular most likely because of Beatles superstar George Harrison's (shown above) obsession with the instrument.  There were many that attempted to learn to play this exotic instrument.  Unfortunately, they found that this instrument is rather difficult to learn.   Do not, however, be discouraged.  With hard work and dedication, you'll be sounding hippie-fabulous in no time!

Traditional approaches to learning the sitar involve a long period of apprenticeship under the tutelage of a master during which the apprentice would accompany the master with a tambura, providing a droning chord harmony for the sitar's melody. Nowadays it is possible to purchase books and videos to assist home learning.

Learning to play the sitar is a difficult process. The entire 3 octave range of the instrument is achieved by sliding the index finger of the left hand up and down the neck of the sitar over a single melody string, while the mezrab on the index finger of the right hand strikes the string. Thus it demands a very high degree of technical mastery to play even simple melodies with clarity and accuracy. It is also a rather painful process for the beginner until the hard calluses and black grooves on the tips of the index and middle finger, which typify the sitar player, begin to develop. A specialised technique called "Meend" involves pulling the main melody string down over the bottom portion of the sitar's curved frets, with which the sitarist can achieve a 7 semitone range of microtonal notes. Meend gives the sitar its characteristic fluid sound, but requires practice to achieve fluency and precision.



Where can I buy a sitar?

Remember that, as with most instruments, you get what you pay for.  Amazon.com has a very good selection of quality sitars and sitar strings at a reasonable price.  Try to avoid online auction bargains. 

Click Here To Go To Amazon.com!



Back to  Glenn Deuman's Sitar Information Page