Rishi Dhir on How to tune a Sitar | CBC Music

Rishi Dhir of Elephant Stone on How-To tune the Sitar, an instrument plucked and used mainly in Hindustani music and Indian classical music.
Ed Note: correction it is the Ma string, not the Pa string in the video above.
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[@dmgs9971]

In 2012 I was looking for a tuning tutorial like this and there were none. thanks for uploading and thanks Rishi !

[@cbcmusic]

Cheers! Glad it was helpful!

[@shreeganeshcollections9520]

It's so much soothing and wonderful way you teach how to tune the sitar thanks so much sir lots of love from INDIA 🙏🇮🇳

[@NickTann]

Thanks, I’m restringing my sitar and just wanted to double check. I’ve downloaded the ITabla which is perfect! Thanks

[@richgiaimo8457]

Great Video man. Thanks a lot for going through it all very clearly. Fabulous!

[@artantme]

thx, you are my savior, now i don't want a sitar anymore :D

[@ryanad4574]

disappointing :(

[@kaitoviolinist8369]

Try Theorbo ;)

[@vidyadharkapadi7707]

@@ryanad4574 n.

[@1ambujkumar11]

you have no idea how good it sounds in real life.

[@parasrawat1174]

You know what, even the sitar don't want to be with you and in your hands

[@spockadee]

Thank you Rishi!

[@melodyst.claire5389]

Thank you 😊 you have been very helpful That is the tuning my sitar was tuned to before Just didn't know ! Wow thank you 😊 🙏

[@clarkrobertson8906]

Thankyou sir,brilliant ,hopefully I can get one,one day x

[@melodyst.claire5389]

Perfectly explanation 👌 Thank you 💗

[@aquqad]

Yup, got it. 100%

[@ak_naral]

2:34 I'm in a keto diet and when he said, "Raga Yamen" it made me hungry.

[@ssplintergirl]

Dude congratulations

[@Noname-sn6ty]

It's yaman in hindi

[@assyrianbull]

😂😂😂

[@rebelrelicguitars]

Excellent lesson!

[@ianreynolds8552]

I wanr fo learn the sitar after playing the guitar for a number of years. Thank for this vid

[@anilmacwan]

Thanks for the video! I had some trouble following you, I think you might have mixed up some strings starting string 13-16, sometimes you skipped a string with your finger and held a different peg than what you were talking about, at least from my perspective. Here's one tuning that works for me in the key of C: 01: F3, 02: G2, 03: G2, 04: C2, 05: G3, 06: C4, 07: C5, 08: C4, 09: B3, 10: C4, 11: D4, 12: E4, 13: E4, 14: F4, 15: G4, 16: A4, 17: B4, 18: C5, 19: D520: E5.

[@lib3rat3]

Omf tuning this is a skill by itself. The oud it is .

[@skummelkatt]

Hey Rishi, please teach us about performing jovari!

[@expertplace]

damn, I need that sound

[@expertplace]

@darksteel-vu1bz is that a fancy word for shoes?

[@Goatchild90]

I love the sound of a sitar

[@cbcmusic]

Us too! So soothing. Have you ever played one?

[@Goatchild90]

No but I want to though, one day hopefully

[@sajosings5319]

I have the exact same sitar!

[@thegenxnoob9755]

I couldn't get a look at the maker's label. It's a super high quality sitar. Who's the maker?

[@ssplintergirl]

George Harrison sent me here

[@btlnckr]

It would be more helpful if you named the western notes all the way up the sympathetic strings.

[@RussellCatchpole]

Oh my goodness that’s amazing! I have now tuned my 21 string Chinese guzheng to the double harmonic ‘Eastern music’ scale so it sounds a little like a sitar, until I can make room for a real one 😂

[@ArlynAlec]

very nice video, thanks for that can you maybe put in the comments which string refers to which note? its a bit difficult to get it all from the video

[@mashooqsalehin191]

I have a question about tuning sitar for Ashavari thaat. What notes in the chromatic tuner should we tune to the same notes of chromatic tuner in order to tune the strings to play ashavari thaat. thank you so much for the video tutorial, very helpful.

[@whothefoxcares]

Can a sitar be as happy as a banjo?

[@jackhaugh]

That is freaking awesome. I just bought one on eBay and am picking it up locally tomorrow. My main question was how to tune it. Problem solved.

[@miky8788]

i don't think so...right?

[@riyapardesi1938]

Please guide Tuning for Beginner Students as it Hurts finger while Practicing in Standard Tunning.(Pt.Ravi Shankar Style)

[@writabratamukherjee3941]

You should consult a good sitar maker and modify your sitar, if it hurts then that means the bridge may be higher than usual, or something else, playing sitar in D should be normal.

[@rubytuesday5684]

Rishi Im an american experimental Sitar Player. The collection of odd insturments is growing. Looking for anyone to do ??

[@utkarshpai1526]

Isnt the main string the ma string?

[@anandvyas671]

It’s called the Ma String

[@jclar3565]

Where is the app linK!!!

[@TaylorTheSailor42]

Could you please redo this video, and show each string and what it’s called, it sounds beautiful but cannot get there from this video.

[@frankzander7151]

This will give me nightmares once I own one.....big thanks anyway 8-))

[@bradleylester4230]

Basically Lydian mode.

[@burmansmith3944]

He means " Ma " String for the main playing string not "Pa "

[@bodijisattva9333]

Just don't tell "Pa" there's no use in having family squabbles!

[@D.2023]

Sir, do you explain different models of sitar? I live in Europe, and probably will order a sitar in internet. But there are so many types! Do you have an opinion in flat back electric sitars Vs traditional acoustic sitar? I like how compact the flat back is, but I assume that without amplification it will sound not good. I also really like a natural acoustic sound. And what about size? 95 cm, 115cn, or which size is best for a deep and soothing sound? How many sympathetic strings, is 9 too few and one needs 11-13? And how can one insure the quality of instrument and fret alignment? What would be a minimal price of a good functional sitar? Ordering on eBay is scary, but there is no way around I guess. Also there are sitar models that correspond to different gurus. Is second gourd making sound better? Which kind of sitar best for mend and spiritual playing? Thank you!

[@L3onking]

All of your questions are meant for a local guru who will assess your ear and vocal range to recommend you the proper instrument. Edit: the only question I can answer is that ALL instruments can be sacred if the music is dedicated to the heavens, all cantation is accepted like a gift from a grandchild to its grandparent. The heavens are overjoyed with the effort you have put in. Anyone who tells you otherwise is ignorant of the astral and etheric planes and is applying outdated doctrines. Akin to a cat who brings you a dead mouse as a gift. We don't need that, affection is fine kitty. So old doctrines can be followed but the restrictions are unnecessary

[@wladislawshamin5447]

how do i tune the sympathetic strings when i only have 11 instead of 13? Do i just tune them like you did until the 11th?

[@kakolykia]

Man, handling this thing is like operating a spaceship.

[@nicolasdilly1098]

I try to tune my sitar with the exact same tune in this video and two of my sympathetic strings have been broken

[@JBergmansson]

The actual fundamental of the sitar can vary. It is both up to individual taste and the strings which are on the instrument. The sitar in the video is tuned to D, but C, C# and Eb are also common. Also, when the strings become old and less flexible, large changes in tension make them break, so for old strings you should try to keep them tuned closely to what they have been sitting at for a long time. Strings breaking is also a sign that they should be replaces of course.

[@BuddhaKeith]

Hello I was wondering if you could tell me what is the coarse tape called that I see on some sitars near the tail end behind the bridge beneath the beads almost like fine sand paper and what is it's purpose. Thank you in advance

[@ElephantStone]

Exactly, it's sandpaper to prevent the beads from slipping.

[@ArlynAlec]

from what I got in the video I would tune my sitar G D A D A D D on the playing strings and D C# D E F# G# A B C# B E on the sympathetic strings is that correct?

[@ElephantStone]

Correct.

[@ryner5171]

String buzz is part of sitar?

[@thegenxnoob9755]

Yes, it's because of the shape of the bridge. This sitar has very open jawari (a lot of buzz), others have more closed jawari, like mine.

[@DJ_BL00DJEMZ]

ITS TAKES 4 EVER TO TUNE

[@bobsbigboy_]

yea if ur a coward

[@MatthewZmusician209]

Interesting so how many strings do you actually fret?

[@panchhi7548]

Only one

[@thegenxnoob9755]

Depends on the type of sitar. There are 2 types, the KP or "Ravi Shankar" style and the VK "Vilyat Khan" style. He's playing a KP. It adds a lower octave. The lower octave is generally played in the beginning of the performance of a Raag, called the alap. However most of the playing is done on the Ma string, the one he tuned to G in this video. (My sitar is tuned to C because I'm a beginner and it's much easier to play, but the sitar sounds better tuned higher). The lowest string can be hooked into a clip on one of the highest frets to get it out of the way. I do this because I don't play it. The VK style of sitar omits the two bass strings and adds a fourth chikari string, which is not fretted. It's much more of a tenor instrument. So the answer to your question is, mostly, one, but sometimes 2 or 4 LOL.

[@42.0fmthefever5]

Ravi Shankar George Harrison Brian Jones Sent me here

[@cbcmusic]

Where are you heading after this?

[@42.0fmthefever5]

@@cbcmusic I just pickup a sitar and can't wait to learn it! :)

[@rubytuesday5684]

Recomend a guru on YT. I can play to a fair start level. But have been involved with Sitar playin for 25 yrs. Never took a teacher so if you can please. Ive own many . Do you know Lars Jacosen ?? Thanx. Dh

[@XX-pv1cy]

so you tune to lydian?

[@manzildeuja666]

3:19 and then the Da 🤣 Do+Sa

[@carrterdinkins7977]

Not me using this to tune my guitar like a sitar 😭😭😭

[@pawnhandler7775]

Need a Tanpura to tune a Sitar. And what is needed to tune the Tanpura to begin with? Oh, well. Never mind.

[@anandvyas671]

You mean Lydian mode lol

[@caioaugusto6819]

And here I was thinking that tuning a 12 string sucked

[@Chris.dlp1]

George Harrison and Rolling Stones brought me here to learn about this trippy instrument

[@btlnckr]

too fast on the sympathetics

[@marcelw1981]

This video is so confusing!!!

[@VyasAnand]

So much misinformation

[@miky8788]

Not a great help

[@btlnckr]

you go too fast!

[@hxhxjcogifu7024]

No

[@AskMeToRapForYou]

What kind of sitar is this? Anyone have a link to this model?