How to play a Shruti Box with Heather Houston

For a more in depth class on how to play the Shruti Box, please go here:
heatherhouston...
For more information about Heather's online classes and recordings, please go to www.heatherhoustonmusic.com
Here's a link to purchase the Monoj Kr. Sardar and Bros. brand through Beautiful Sounds:
beautifulsound...
For a $10 DISCOUNT, use the code: heatherhouston
Female Voices: Get C to C
Male Voices: Get G to G
If you want to play with other musicians / instruments / online classes with me: A440
If you want to play in what is said to be the tuning of the earth: A432

[@walkingwithin]

Thankyou! That was such a great video. Very informative 🧡💜

[@1ReikiFloW]

amazing, this was meant to. I was just thinking how I wanted to find a course for voice so when I got money I can register. Well, the course appeared, now let's see if I can get the money. I saw there is someone in BC, Canada in this wo men's group. Your voice is great, love it. Thank you for sharing it.

[@canda2837]

Thank you. I saw my first Shruti box tonight closing out a Sufi class. You voice is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your gift.

[@oliverwaters761]

Thank you for the demonstration of the Shruti box - you have a beautiful voice!!

[@Fabianelaube]

Thank you for this video❤ Beautiful voice❤

[@erikachaker6210]

Hello and thank you for sharing your beautiful voice with us! I am just beginning to explore the sounds of the Shruti Box and looking to purchase one. This video helped a lot and thank you for the link to Beautiful Sounds! I am curious as to why you recommend the "male" box and can you explain the main difference(s) between the male and female versions (maybe you have another video that covers this topic?). Thank you again. (: Peace and blessings to you!

[@flyingmonk3y888]

Thank you - I like your beautiful energy :-)

[@miekedado2937]

Thank you for this clear explanation Heather. Great!Where did you buy your shrutibox and how much did it cost? Is it a 432 hz one?

[@mihirhardas8297]

You sounded so melodious from 05:40 onwards!!!

[@janthimantpengpaitoon8548]

hi there, I would like to learn more, But I cannot access your website.

[@pranavthegenius1097]

I might be buying one

[@PaulyLama]

thank you!

[@eddyhinojosa9488]

is it possible to do chord progressions or it's just for drones?

[@kimmuirhead5697]

Thank you! :)

[@heatherhoustonmusic]

Your'e welcome! :)

[@katewright632]

I would love to know what the pegs are on either side of the reed stoppers. Are they to secure the reed box when unscrewing it? Does it help with sound?

[@yieldsigns]

How big is this thing? I'm trying to figure out if I just bought a really poor quality one on eBay. You definitely can't get this kind of sustained out of it. Was there something I needed to do with the Box when I set it up? It's kind of always a race for instance when I how to sound holes open.

[@sarahchristinemusic]

Thank you for this helpful video! Is the one you are playing the large (16”) or small (13”) concert version?

[@heatherhoustonmusic]

16 inch. Monoj Kumar brand. You can get it from Beautiful Sounds 😉

[@j.wilcox3547]

How do you feel about the pedal you can use with the shruti box?

[@St3ll4NAvi]

Where can I find the same shruti box? The sound is fabulous

[@heatherhoustonmusic]

Beautiful Sounds. Get C to C. A440 tuning. Use ‘heatherhouston’ at checkout for a $10 discount.

[@reagandiaz3388]

how long would it take to ship?

[@heatherhoustonmusic]

Unsure about that

[@Cathy1864]

I just got mine and it closes way too fast :( what should I do?

[@heatherhoustonmusic]

Hi Cathy! Did you get the Monoj Kumar brand?

[@sacredearthguardians]

I actually had this with a small one I bought from online (a different place) It was supposed to be a bigger one, but they sent a small one. I think that is less with medium and large

[@humphreyclement580]

I had this difficulty when I purchased mine back in August. Mine is a different brand, but I’m sure they all work with a similar mechanism. When a Shruti box is new, the bellows are quite stif, so they will close quite quickly. Depending on the material of the bellows, the length of time to loosen up can differ, some are a sort of paper, whereas I believe others are made of leather. Or a combination of the two. This is remedied basically by continuing to play it. The other reason is, at the top of the box just above the stops, you have a tension spring which holds the bellows at the front in place when the box is not being played or when closing up after being played. again when the box is new, the spring is very tight, it becomes more flexible overtime like the bellows, and then it is easier to play. Thank you for this lovely video, bright blessings.

[@daviddiamond2415]

Do you change chords while singing?

[@heatherhoustonmusic]

No. The shruti box is intended to hold a drone throughout. If you want to change chords, harmoniums are good for that.

[@lifejourneyyoga3091]

Is there a link to buy this kind?

[@heatherhoustonmusic]

beautifulsounds.co/products/shruti-box use ‘heatherhouston’ at checkout for a $10 discount.

[@Brianartist11]

432 or 440?

[@heatherhoustonmusic]

I like the 440 because then I can play along with other musicians. Most musicians don’t tune to 432, but could be a fun option if you were planning to use mostly for your own enjoyment, or with a band who decided as a group to tune to A432. 😉

[@nurturedivinity8636]

@@heatherhoustonmusic C440? Or G440? Thanks!

[@SpiritualRealityCheck-sf6fv]

She’s… literally playing it wrong. It’s backwards…… the way she holds it “when she’s playing for herself” is actually the correct way to play this instrument. It makes no ergonomic sense the other way.

[@heatherhoustonmusic]

Thank you for your concern. In my 20 plus years of experience in playing the Shruti box, I’ve found both ways to be ergonomically comfortable. It’s when it’s played to the side and the wrist is twisted that crates repetitive stress problems.

[@spiritualrealitycheck]

@@heatherhoustonmusic You are welcome. I also have decades of experience with this instrument. After 20 years one should know better than to teach people to play it backwards. My concern is for the people learning, not for the maker of the video. Also, of all the ridiculous ways I’ve seen it played to the side is a new one😂

[@yieldsigns]

It's funny that you have two different accounts to tell people they're doing it wrong.🎉 Maybe you could answer my question as to whether I just bought a really poor quality instrument or if there's something I need to do to have it have the kind of residents I keep seeing people have with their boxes. Maybe $100 on eBay just gets you a piece of garbage.

[@spiritualrealitycheck]

@@yieldsignslmao. Honestly I don’t know about the accounts, it probably just switched between emails. What size is your Sruti? The smaller the instrument, the less air flow you will have when blowing the bellows and the less resonant it will be. Normally the standard ones like the one she is playing range from about $350-$500, depending how good a deal the vendor gets. The most popular company is Monoj Kumar Sardar & Bros, but there are a couple of others that can make a quality Sruti. Truth be told however, every single instrument turns out completely different, so there is huge variation of quality even with the same maker. Recommended try before you buy to make sure you really jive with the instrument. They’re also pretty fragile, so if it was knocked around during transit it could cause airflow issues.

[@forestweston5055]

I certainly play mine in both directions, according to the room and audience. My main gig is didgeridoo and the Shruti really complements it well.