Saturday, December 17, 2011

Tuning a Sarode

Sarode is tuned around the key of "C" , I say 'around' because in Indian music the exact tuning can vary. So we have 4 strings pressed with the left hand, these are the main playing strings. They are tuned C,G,C,F. The chickari and jawari strings which are struck with the right hand are 'chichari' high 'C'. jawari,'C,E,D,B. Those 4 jawari are subject to different tunings for different compositions. The 'Tarib' strings or sympathetics, are tuned from low to high, thus.
A,B,C,DEb,E, F,F#,G,A,Bb,B,C,D,E, there are 15 Tarib strings usually, also these tuning can vary.
This is the tuning structure for the Hemen Sarode.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Where does a Sarode come from?

The Indian Sarode comes orgininally from the Afghan Rabab.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0RsE7W6omk&feature=related
This link gives a good illustration of the Rabab.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

back in the mists of time

1974, long hair,strange clothes, and this http://www.zshare.net/download/973550074c0d083d/

Should be confusing

Asavari is one of the 10 Thats that were compiled by V.N.Bhatkandi in the 1850's as he tried to make sense of the Indian Raga system. Until then it was a family affair(still is) but each family had different idea's about how to play any one Raga. Now there are about 75,000 Raga's and millions of compositions in each Raga. Anyway Asavari is also Raga Asavari which has a ascending and descending scale as thus: CD(Eb)FG(Ab)(Bb)C  C(Bb) (Ab)GF(Eb)DC. The brackets are just to help tp identify the flat notes. Here is a fusion piece from the Album TAKITA with guitar,tabla, Sarode. playing in this That.
 http://www.zshare.net/audio/973081070f20fa45/

Monday, December 12, 2011

Plinky plonk

That's the sound of a Sarode player warming up. I have a new music hosting site.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/972919204d04f2a4/
I've been attempting to do this for a long time so I'm happy with the result so far.