5 Things To Know BEFORE Learning Sitar

[@simonsbuddy1806]

1. Sitar is not for the impatient. Sitar takes time. Sitar is not a synth keyboard, with pre-programmed sounds and sequences. You don't just sit down and play, although could fake it and fool around, but anyone who really knows the music will know you're just playing around. You don't need to read music, but you need to think about scales and stay within rules. But the rules are paradoxical: you improvise within rules. Bound and free at the same time. Sitar requires daily practice. It is incredibly difficult, but especially easy (only one string usually going at a time, up and down the neck, except when you strike the chikari strings to maintain a drone).

[@reymhd7655]

totally agree

[@simonsbuddy1806]

3. And Jeff is right...start now, and not later. If you're listening to this music regularly, and love it, it's quite wonderful to actually MAKE this music on your own.

[@mwstacomawa1717]

Hi Jeff, Great intro to basic considerations for those contemplating taking up the sitar. Former sitar player, now sarod player, student of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan-sahab here. I would add to your excellent advice that the "painful" part of practicing/playing sitar has 2 components: your right and left hand fingers have to develop SERIOUS callouses (as the blue tape you used indicates), the right hand has to grow/form callouses that securely hold the mizrab (plectrum) in place and the right hand fingers need callouses for fretting and other techniques (and those callouses are thick and deep); and the second pain is tuning. No way around it, tuning is lengthy, detailed and repetitious, you can hear all the great masters taking a long time to set their tuning before performing and then even retuning in the middle of a performance. I would also say that a person could learn sitar but not really learn Hindustani Music, I think a bit of distinction can be made. You are right, it takes TIME and commitment to play and make progress. Pt Ravi Shankar said it takes 2 life times. I think you need to be a bit "crafty" too; changing strings, tying loops properly and adjusting the tuning knobs properly, positioning frets and so on are a bit more than most guitarists have to consider. Best of luck to you and to all those that take it up!

[@JeffStarr]

This is all very accurate and something I hope new sitar students (or those curious) read and think about. The tuning aspect can not be understated. Many times I’ve felt inspired to practice only to spend 30 minutes getting my instrument in tune. Then I’m wanting to quit for the night out of frustration. Haha! Thank for taking the time to watch and leave a comment.

[@ShubhamKainthola03]

🙏 Accept my sincere gratitude for making this video 🙏 This has helped me a lot. I haven't seen such detailed and informative content on sitar by any Indian musician. Its a moment of pride for me as an Indian to see you make such a detailed video on an Indian instrument which somewhat vocalize our culture too.

[@1337h3x]

don't be coward, take those finger guards off, develop those callouses

[@lucaskobi7164]

Well i got a sitar before i got a teacher, im king of impatience but i understand things take time. But i am looking for teachers right now. So far you have ( of all the videos on KZbin that i have searched for) you have answered most my questions. And i thank you for these videos.

[@JeffStarr]

You can do it!

[@L3onking]

I had a kundalini awakening almost 3 years ago and since then, the sunlight sounds like sitar. A few days ago I stumbled into someone who is selling his and accomplishing my Dharma has never been so straightforward. I studied western music as I grew up in the west but my ear has always had a thing for quarter tones and I'm very excited to begin my destined journey. I think it's interesting that you would mention the tuning with western notes, since the Hz is far easier to tune for my ear at least. I'll definitely be subscribing to share my journey with you, i love sharing the sound of the heavens

[@VaporChad.]

How did it go so far?

[@L3onking]

@@VaporChad. magical. I'm pinching myself to see if I'm dreaming, both when practicing and doing other things I feel like I'm still improving. I once heard "there's so much sound within a rest" in context of symphonic music having lots of rests until your instrument is playing. I can see how that even applies to the rest taken between practicing. My muscle memory is growing every day. Only possible complaint I could have is not a sitar thing but a me thing. I'm the opposite of flexible, my legs fall asleep all the time. Playing traditionally becomes numbing then painful so I'm sitting differently and I know someone will eventually criticize my disrespect of the legacy yadda yadda 🙄 just let me play music bro.

[@VaporChad.]

@@L3onking that's great bro. Just keep doing what you love and just ignore the haters. The world is full of elitist snd pretentious people that hold on to rigid and obsolete point of view. Somebody is always going to find something to criticize, it doesn't matter how great you are. And for the flexibility thing, I would whole heartedly recommend yoga. It is amazing what it can do for your body (and mind)

[@marcelw1981]

Thank you so much for this video!!! Without this i might have played many years on Ravi Shankar style not knowing Vilayat Khan is what i was looking for. I like the meend stuff more than the fast Rhythmic style and want to combine with vocals in the future. Your the best!

[@JeffStarr]

Glad you liked it!

[@alexjae1901]

Hey man what exact sitar is Muriel using in courage the cowardly dog ? I want to buy a beginner one of those. :,D I play guitar and I’ve always loved the sitar sound. Thank you man for this video!!

[@Reikidreams911]

I’m glad to see someone else puts tape on their fingers !

[@JeffStarr]

My calluses are actually in the best shape they have ever been, but I’m still using the tape anyway as I find it helps prevent cracking in the callus. I also find that playing guitar can really mess up my sitar callus as the strings hit in a different spot and the round wound strings can cause peeling. So using tape, even if I don’t need it, helps to provide some consistency.

[@Hooli630]

What a coincidence- ordered my first Kharaj Pancham the other day 😬🌺 Wish me luck 🥲🙏

[@JeffStarr]

Very exciting! Practice makes perfect!

[@देवर्षकामत]

Kaha se liye? Price?

[@JeremyMcdonald]

Very nice video! I was a student of Ustad Imrat Khan who was Vilayat Khan's brother.

[@JeffStarr]

Thank you for the kind words. I’m sure viewers would love to hear any stories you can share from your time studying with him. That must have been an amazing experience!

[@JeremyMcdonald]

@@JeffStarr I do a music podcast as well. Would you be interested?

[@JeffStarr]

@@JeremyMcdonald what’s the podcasts name? Can you paste a link?

[@gracegarlandmoen842]

Thanks for this talk... my Guru came to me in a meditation vision and I got an instrument as fast as I could. It's been a journey for sure. People have no idea how hard this instrument is.. and how much your fingers get it. HA As you remove Karma in Spiritual practice your sound does improve quite a bit. It is a spiritual practice at the core. Blessings.

[@YvesJerome-d1j]

Thats interesting. How is the tone connected to spiritual practice and how to remove karma ?

[@simonsbuddy1806]

2. You need to devote a half hour to tune it up when you're a beginner, even if you're going to use a clip on tuner, although tuning by ear to a drone (iTabla app) will develop your ear for bending notes and staying true to the note (not microtonally sharp or flat). No other instrument, however, gives you sympathetic strings that ring out, with a slight delay, out of nowhere, like ghosts. You're never going to be good...but you will be playing the sitar and begin to inhabit the Indian classical music you love, and make those sounds. And when you learn meend, to bend strings and make your instrument cry and sing sing, it is joyful and inspirational.

[@glennlopez6772]

Hello Jeff! Perhaps one of the most articulated analysis/study of the subject on video! To make understanding the topic easier let me add the following: 1. Playing the instrument could be a pain - physically, that is if you can sit as you've seen the masters on video! 2. Indian music is modal, or melodic without "harmony" - ragas, or scales are everything! 3. You'd be surprised to know that there are many studies where "western" scales also fit some of the ragas, if not all. One music manuscript paper producer has already a page dedicated to show/compare East and West side by side! Google it! - include the guru system. Indian vocal music is like western "solfeggio" the study of which, could give you the ability to sight sing just lookin at the written stuff. Hung up on scales for years! But weaponised! 4. Having a good teacher helps, but not a substitute for hard work and dedication. 5. Westerners have excelled taking up Indian music, as some Japanese have mastered jazz and harmony! I'm sure your videos will be appreciated! Thanks for the video!

[@erichobbs4042]

This video is fantastic. It's convinced me to buy that pedal so I can screw around with a sitar sound on a familiar instrument. That is absolutely no bad thing. I thank you for taking the time to properly discuss the pros and cons of the instrument.

[@marthavendetta]

Hi Jeff, thank you for the video. I would like to play the type of music like the one from Anushka Shankar ancient love. I don’t know how to play guitars but I really love how the music with sitar sounds.

[@sergeyka3398]

There are 2 types of pegs: wood and western. What are pros and cons of each of them?

[@muhammadsiraj5537]

@5:24 Hey ho hey ho Thieves and beggars.. Laughs

[@VaishnaviP-i6s]

At what age did you start learning ? And does age matter when it comes to sitar ? Given that it’s a very difficult instrument to learn.. would you say it is as difficult as learning to play violin ?

[@JeffStarr]

I talk about starting sitar in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIHOYp6Jmpp8gMU Sitar is very hard on the fingers. Violin takes a long time to get a nice tone from the bow and string.

[@zihadazad]

Hey Jeff, newbie sitar learner here. Could you do a comprehensive video on how to incorporate the itabla pro app to your Sitar practices. TIA

[@tanukibrahma]

Good video. Thanks! I just want to add some sitar sound to my pop songs like the Beatles and Stones did, so it’s either a sitar guitar or a VI for me.

[@JeffStarr]

Cool, I'm glad this video was helpful!

[@yogicyoga1227]

What is the blue things you have on your finger please? 🙏

[@JeffStarr]

Some tape. When my fingers become sore from too much practice a layer of masking tape provides a little added protection.

[@samfifieldi662]

Hey thanks so much for the video, sadly lockdown has been strict here in aus so I haven't been able to see my sitar teacher for a year. Great to learn and be reminded of these ideas, I'm really trying to figure out rupak tal and raag bhimpalasi at the moment. Would love a video of 10 beginner ragas - perhaps malkauns and ahir bhairav are two! Any tips on phrasing in different tals would be great!

[@TheMrRyRy100]

Hi Jeff - Thanks for the video. I am precisely the ambivalent listener you imagined: unable to decide if I should learn the instrument. Two questions: 1) do you think online lessons would be effective? There's no sitar teacher near me. 2) I'm a gay man. How, if at all, do you think that would shape my relationship with potential teachers?

[@JeffStarr]

I am glad the video was helpful! Yes, online lessons can be effective. I have had great success with online lessons and I recommend them if you can not find a local teacher. There are so many teachers who give lessons online now that you have a lot of great options, including some very famous musicians. I would find a handful of teachers, try to set up some sort of introductory video call with them and find out who you connect with the most. Then, once you have a teacher you like, work with them to find the right sitar for you to purchase or rent. Finally, if you meet a teacher who has a problem with you being gay, then that teacher is stupid and they don't deserve the privilege of teaching you. Thank you for watching my video. I appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment.

[@rsitarsi4804]

One thing not mentioned here is the Western perception of the sitar. Often , it suffers , compared to other instruments. Comments such as Far Out , Man, Where's Your Kaftan, all associated with the hippy -dippy sixties media hype. To many, it just isn't taken as a serious classical instrument, it has too much garbled pseudo spiritual baggage attached.........even some of the comments here show this, oh, my guru appeared in a meditation vision. I mention this with some sadness , as a 74 year old player of sitar and surbahar with classical training and concert platform experience...........the sitar carries media baggage which is almost unparalleled , to its continuing detriment. Thanks for posting, and with best regards to all.

[@JeffStarr]

Yes, it’s difficult to shake the “hippie” connotation. With my sitar videos I’m trying to make it accessible to those looking to study and I try to encourage prospective students to find a real teacher. It’s not a hard instrument to play but it is a very hard instrument to play correctly.

[@rsitarsi4804]

Thank you for your reply, Jeff, and for posting your videos. With best regards.

[@discharge666]

Another concept a beginning or early-intermediate sitar player will have to grapple with are learning tabla rhythms/taals.

[@JeffStarr]

Yes! I should have spoken more about this.

[@sindhu2892]

How much it costs?

[@Nicholas-dreamlove]

You can't discuss the sitar without mentioning Brian Jones (RIP) of the Rolling Stones. 😇😇😇

[@Varsha_896]

A very informative and useful video 👍Thank you.

[@JeffStarr]

Glad it was helpful!

[@georghaupftink7372]

Thanks, this was excellent. Any ideas about where to find an online sitar teacher? When I search I find a few dodgy-looking outfits, but ipassio looks promising. superprof seems to be a scam however. Any views?

[@adelsaleh938]

The question is: if the playing the sitar was your full time commitment or job, would you have plateaued? Is it an instrument that you can master during your free time?

[@JeffStarr]

I think it needs to be a full time Commitment if you want to reach the level of a great master. But not everyone is going to be a great master anyways. I think it’s more important to ask yourself if are you having fun and are you still learning, even if progress is slow. Life is short. Enjoy it.

[@amj.composer]

It's a classical instrument, it comes with a rich history, repertoire, and a cultivated technique, you can certainly have fun with it and get pretty decent if you can practice a little everyday, but "mastering" it will take a lifetime.

[@talongodin2253]

This is a useful video, thanks! I had no idea that there were so many different kinds of sitars out there, but it's logical when you compare different guitars. In order to really be certain if the sitar is for me, I'd like to try playing one somewhere before dropping all the money on one.

[@caterina_music]

You play really good

[@JeffStarr]

Thank you!

[@joesoap851]

Hi Jeff. Before watching your videos, I bought a sitar not knowing anything about them. It turns out it's an electric, flat sitar and I have a lot of trouble getting any resonance from the sympathetics. would I better off with an acoustic sitar? Thanks, Tony, Wales UK

[@JeffStarr]

The sitar you described may be a "travel sitar." Those and often have mechanical tuning pegs like a guitar so that can be helpful when trying to keep your instrument in tune. The lack of resonance in the sympathetic strings can be due to a lot of factors. The sympathetic strings need to be tuned perfectly to match the fretted notes. Also you may not have all your frets in the right place. You may also not be playing loud enough. It can take a lot of volume to get those sympathetic strings to vibrate. I wouldn't worry too much about them though. If you are a beginner, I would focus on basic form and technique for now. Let the rest come later.

[@irr6023]

Do you know who does sitar restoration

[@ankitak6948]

A very important and informative video jeff!! Although I feel the need to point out to the general viewer that apart from the regrets, the other parts are more useful to intermediate level musicians (of any background eg: Western etc.) who have an idea of music and have sufficient musical intelligence (in my opinion) The other details are not useful for absolute beginners who have no idea of music. I would advise the absolute beginners to just search a good reputed teacher and start, but only if you very much like the instrument and the sound of it. I say so because for example the style of sitar has actually no significance to the fiirst-time-learner. This preference can be influenced and matured upon by learning from the guru over years of practice and learning. As for liking the instrument, I play the tabla and started very early at about 7 years old. I liked it a lot and picked up very quickly. I just believe I love the tabla. But I don't see the same progression for many young learners starting at similar age even after learning for years though they had talent in other fields like academics and sports. This, was because they were forced, so loving the process is what matters.

[@JeffStarr]

Yes, loving the process of learning and the process of practicing is the most important aspect that leads to proficiency. Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts and feedback. I appreciate it.

[@thegreengatsby9803]

This was a such a useful video! Thank you so much for taking the time to make this, so the rest of us are not wasting time trying to figure the best route to play this instrument. I have been flirting with the idea of learning how to play the sitar for several months now. I am from Bangladesh originally, so I want to take the plunge and learn about my musical heritage of South Asia, and I have never played an instrument at a serious level, so I know I will be climbing a very steep mountain with this one. You just gained a new subscriber :)

[@mayurakshidaw8389]

I'm thinking to buy a kharaj Pancham sitar...i have selected the teacher for myself but when i ask to the different Sitar teachers,they said me that the kharaj Pancham and the gandhar Pancham sitar are the same...I'm getting a bit confusing Can you tell me that what's the price of a kharaj Pancham sitar ☺️

[@JeffStarr]

The difference between the two styles of sitar are minor. They have more in common than they have differences. In fact, you could take one sitar and re-string it to be tuned in the other style. The shape of the bridge is very important as that will cause your instrument to have more or less “buzz” but that is also a personal preference. There are more subtle elements that I didn’t discuss in the video, like the thickness of the soundboard may be thinner on the Kharaj Pancham and other minor things like that. The main thing is to make sure that you have a good reputable teacher. For prices I recommend checking out Old Delhi Music’s website or the links for the other retailers I put in the description.

[@mayurakshidaw8389]

Thank you so much 💟🥰

[@mayurakshidaw8389]

I'm am an Indian I live in kolkata

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Jeff Starr / Jeff Sitar. You snuck that by me.

[@JeffStarr]

Ha ha! Just a weird coincidence.

[@untroubledwaters2137]

@@JeffStarr question is, are you related to Ringo?