Category: Instruments

Instruments

Zither Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on September 4, 2015

Zither Facts

The zither is an instrument similar to a psaltery, with many strings stretched across a thin, flat body. The number of strings can vary from twelve to more than fifty. Zithers can be played in many different ways. The strings can be plucked with the fingers, or alternatively with a plectrum or pick. They can also be strummed with a bow, or sounded by beating them with specially designed hammers.

Like a guitar or lute, a zither’s body serves as a resonating chamber, or sound box. Unlike guitars and lutes a zither does not have a separate neck assembly.

More Zither Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a zitherist.

Notable zitherists include Basia Bulat, Kerry Christensen, Karineh Hovhanessian, Anton Karas, Rudi Knabl, Linda McCartney, Adolf Schneer, John Sebastian, and Manfred Schuler.

The Third Man

Music by Anton Karas

The Third Man 50th Anniversary Poster

Listen to the Zither

The Third Man (1949)

Celebrated director Carol Reed moved unknown Viennese musical performer Anton Karas to his home in London. Working from Reed’s oak dining table, the pair collaborated on the score for three months. Karas worked up to 14 hours each day, composing and recording the film’s zither-only score.

“The Third Man Theme” topped the music charts in 1950. Moreover, the film’s trailer stated that Karas would have the audience “in a dither with his zither.” Anton Karas and his unique instrument gained international fame as a result of this exposure.

Time Magazine “Dither Zither” (1949)
The picture demanded music appropriate to post-World War II Vienna, but director [Carol] Reed had made up his mind to avoid schmaltzy, heavily orchestrated waltzes. In Vienna one night Reed listened to a wine-garden zitherist named Anton Karas, and was fascinated by the jangling melancholy of his music.

We Love Zithers

Anton Karas Website (Hosted by his Grandson, Werner Chudik)

Shop for the Best Zither Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,500 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite zitherist.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Zither collection.

Find a Zither Online

Music Maker Lap Harp

Product details:

Handmade with quality hardwoods in Belarus
7-inch top width, 14-inch bottom width, 1-inch thick
Measures 8 inches top to bottom
Tuned to a 2-octave G major scale
Video Lesson: Tuning a Zither / Lap Harp to G Major
Includes tuner, pick, extra metal string, 12 song sheets
Slip song sheet under strings for an easy playing guide
“Oppenheim Toy Portfolio” Platinum Winner

Music Maker Handmade Lap Harp Song Sheet Slips Under Strings

Zither Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of zithers and accessories available on eBay. Find bargains on all kinds of stringed instruments including zithers.

Shop for Zither Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.

Shop for Zithers and Accessories

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Violin Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on September 3, 2015

Violin Facts

The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It’s the smallest and highest-pitched member of the violin family of instruments, which also includes the viola and the cello. The instrument’s modern name is derived from the Italian word violino, which translates to ‘small viola’. It is also known as a fiddle–hence, one who plays the violin is sometimes called a fiddler.

Classical composers have embraced the violin since the Baroque era. Its tone stands out above other instruments, making it well-suited for playing a melody line. The instrument is extremely agile, allowing for the execution of rapid and difficult sequences of notes. For these reasons, violins are always plentiful in an orchestra.

Orchestra violins are typically divided into two sections known as the first and second violins. Composers often assign more difficult melodies to the first violins. Second violins play harmony and accompaniment patterns, and occasionally they play the melody an octave lower than the first violins.

More Violin Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a violinist.

Notable violinists include Niccolo Paganini, Pablo de Sarasate, Fritz Kreisler, Bronislav Huberman, Jascha Heifetz, Yehudi Menuhin, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Viktoria Mullova, and Stephane Grappelli. Source: CMUSE – The 10 Greatest Violin Players of All Time.

Musica e Musicisti

Milano, Italy Vintage Poster Reproduction

Musica e Musicisti Vintage Italian Poster

Listen to the Violin

Performed by Itzhak Perlman

Conductor Seiji Ozawa leads the Boston Symphony Orchesta in a presentation of Czech composer Antonín Dvořák’s Humoresque No. 7 in G-Flat Major, Op. 101.” Violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman shares the stage with cellist and educator Yo-Yo Ma.

We Love Violins

Looking for more violin facts? Here are some of our favorite pages about violins for you to enjoy:

Business Cards for Performers and Teachers

Shop for the Best Violin Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,500 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite violinist.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Violin collection.

Find a Violin Online

Mendini Solid Wood Satin Antique Violin

Product details:

Size 4/4 (Full Size) satin antique violin
Hand-carved solid spruce top with maple back and sides
Maple fingerboard, pegs, chin rest
Alloy tailpiece with four integrated fine tuners
Strung with Cecilio strings
Includes lightweight hard case, Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, rosin, bridge, extra set of strings
1 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer’s Defects
Remarkably affordable option for first-time violin students

Mendini 4/4 MV300 Solid Wood Satin Antique Violin Designed for Beginners Includes Lightweight Hard Case, Bow, Shoulder Rest, Rosin, Bridge, Extra String Set

Violin Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of violins and accessories available on eBay. Find bargains on all kinds of stringed instruments including violins.

Shop for Violin Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.

Shop for Violins and Accessories

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Viola Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on September 3, 2015

Viola Facts

The viola is a bowed string instrument, slightly larger than a violin. For more than two centuries it has been the middle voice of the violin family, tuned a perfect fifth above the violin and an octave below the cello. A viola is held in the same manner as a violin, with just a few adjustments necessary to accommodate its larger size.

More Viola Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a violist.

Notable violists include Yuri Bashmet, Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Gérard Caussé, Bruno Giuranna, Rivka Golani, Kim Kashkashian, Nobuko Imai, Michael Kugel, and Tabea Zimmermann.

Classical composers who were also violists include Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonín Dvořák, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

During the 20th century, virtuosos Lionel Tertis and William Primrose broke tradition and focused their careers on solo viola playing. The accomplished musicians introduced the viola to a broader audience, discovered ancient works, and even created a school. Source: Viola in Music – Famous Viola Players

Viola Fingering Chart

Quality Card Stock Poster

Viola Fingering Chart Poster

Listen to the Viola

Performed by String Planet with Violist Novi Novog

Enjoy the super-talented duo of Novi Novog and Larry Tuttle as they perform a String Planet montage, on which Larry is playing Chapman Stick. Novi began playing piano at age four, then moved on to the violin and viola. She has appeared on countless recordings, films, television shows, and concert stages all over the world. String Planet’s compositions have been used in hundreds of television shows, as well as in many films and commercials.

We Love Violas

Shop for the Best Viola Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,500 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite violist.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Viola collection.

Find a Viola Online

Mendini Natural Varnish Solid Wood Viola

Product details:

16-inch natural varnish viola
Hand-carved solid spruce top with maple back and sides
Maple fingerboard, pegs, chin rest
Alloy tailpiece with four integrated fine tuners
Strung with Cecilio strings
Includes lightweight hard case, Brazilwood bow with unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair, rosin, bridge
1 Year Warranty Against Manufacturer’s Defects
Remarkably affordable option for first-time students

Mendini 16-Inch MA250 Natural Varnish Solid Wood Viola Designed for Beginners Includes Lightweight Hard Case, Brazilwood Bow with Mongolian Horsehair, Rosin, Bridge

Viola Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of violas and accessories available on eBay. Find bargains on all kinds of stringed instruments including violas.

Shop for Viola Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.

Shop for Violas and Accessories

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Veena Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on September 3, 2015

Veena Facts

The veena is a plucked string instrument with origins in ancient India. It’s used primarily in Carnatic classical music (South Indian) and Hindustani classical music (North Indian). The earliest veenas were referenced as far back as 15th century BC, and were similar to harps.

There are several types of veenas–some with frets and some without. Saraswati and chitra veenas used in Carnatic music are in the lute family. Rudra and vichitra veenas used in Hindustani music are technically zithers.

Depending on one’s playing technique and use of amplification devices, the instrument has a wonderful sound for both traditional and contemporary music.

More Veena Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a vainika.

Notable vainikas include Veenai Dhanammal, Veenai Gayathri, Rugmini Gopalakrishnan, Jayanthi Kumaresh, Nirmala Rajasekar, Veene Sheshanna, Veena Subbanna, Prince Rama Varma, and Tirupati Srivani Yalla.

Goddess Saraswati

Indian Handicraft Cotton Tapestry

Goddess Saraswati Cotton Tapestry

Listen to the Veena

Performed by Nirmala Rajasekar

Often called a “Carnatic Ambassador,” Nirmala Rajasekar is an internationally renowned veena virtuoso. She has performed south Indian classical music throughout the world, earning many awards along the way. Nirmala also enjoys collaborative projects with other music traditions including western classical and jazz.

We Love Veenas

Shop for the Best Veena Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,500 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite vainika.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Veena collection.

Find a Veena Online

Lakshman Sruthi Joint Veena

Product details:

Handmade in India
Good sound quality
Unique look, beautifully crafted from Jack Fruit Wood
Includes one set of Veena strings, Meetti, Veena stand, Veena cover, Mela cover

Generic Lakshman Sruthi Joint Veena Crafted from Well Seasoned Jack Fruit Wood

Veena Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of veenas and accessories available on eBay. Find bargains on all kinds of Indian stringed instruments including veenas.

Shop for Veena Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.

Shop for Veenas and Accessories

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Upright Bass Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on September 3, 2015

Upright Bass Facts

The upright bass, or double bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument. It can be played played with a bow (arco) or by plucking the strings (pizzicato). Classical music calls for the natural sound produced acoustically by the instrument. In other genres such as jazz and blues, the bass sound is usually amplified. Bass amplifiers have equalization controls that allow a player to boost low frequencies. Amplification gives a bassist more control over the tone of the instrument.

Among classical performers the instrument is called a contrabass, from its Italian name contrabbasso. Other common names are string bass, to distinguish it from a brass bass instrument, or simply bass. In jazz and other non-classical music genres, the instrument is called an upright bass or acoustic bass to differentiate it from the electric bass guitar. In folk and bluegrass music, it’s referred to by many names, including bass fiddle, bass violin, doghouse bass, and bull fiddle.

More Upright Bass Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a bassist.

Notable jazz double bassists from the 1940s and 1950s include Jimmy Blanton, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Paul Chambers, George Duvivier, Milt Hinton, Charlie Parker, Oscar Pettiford, and Wilbur Ware. Influential bassists in the post 1960s era include Stanley Clarke, Charlie Haden, Charles Mingus, and Jaco Pastorius.

Elvis Presley

Featuring Bill Black on Upright Bass

Elvis Presley with Bill Black on Double Bass

Listen to the Double Bass

“Heartbreak Hotel” Performed by Paul McCartney

In a brief clip from Chaos and Creation at Abbey Road, legendary musician Paul McCartney introduces an upright bass with ties to another music legend, Elvis Presley. The instrument was played by rock and roll pioneer Bill Black. He was the bassist in Elvis Presley’s early trio that also included guitarist Scotty Moore.

Paul McCartney

Limited Edition Poster Portrait

Paul McCartney – Do It in the Road (Rare)

A Legendary Upright Bass

The Blue Moon Boys: The Story of Elvis Presley’s Band

by Ken Burke and Dan Griffin, Foreword by Brian Setzer

The Blue Moon Boys: The Story of Elvis Presley’s Band

We Love Upright Basses

Shop for the Best Upright Bass Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,500 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite bassist.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Upright Bass collection.

Find an Upright Bass Online

Cecilio 1/2CDB-100 Upright Double Bass with Adjustable Bridge

Product details:

Rosewood fingerboard
Plated brass tuning machine head
Premium grade ebony tailpiece
Bridge with thumb wheel height adjusters
Hardwood endpin plug with 10mm endpin
Padded nylon soft case with accessories pockets
Brazilwood bow with ebony frog and unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair

Cecilio 1/2CDB-100 Upright Double Bass with Adjustable Bridge Includes Brazilwood Bow with Mongolian Horsehair, Rosin, Nylon Gig Bag

Upright Bass Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of upright basses and accessories available on eBay. Find bargains on all kinds of stringed instruments including double basses.

Shop for Upright Bass Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.

Shop for Upright Basses and Accessories

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Ukulele Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on September 3, 2015

Ukulele Facts

The ukulele or uke is a member of the lute family. It has four nylon strings and is usually played with the bare thumb and fingertips or a felt pick. Common types of ukuleles include concert, soprano, tenor, and baritone. The soprano is the second-smallest and was the original size. It’s referred to as “standard” in Hawaii.

The diminutive string instrument has origins in 19th century Hawaii, when Portuguese immigrants who worked in the sugar cane fields introduced a small guitar-like instrument called a machete. Native Hawaiians incorporated elements of European music and Spanish guitar to the playing of their own songs, and the ukulele was born. The instrument was a hit with King Kalākaua, a patron of the arts who arranged for it to be performed at royal gatherings. Today the instrument is synonymous with Hawaiian music and culture.

A plastics manufacturer sold more than 9 million inexpensive ukuleles after WWII, which boosted the instrument’s popularity in the United States. In the sixties, entertainer Tiny Tim made a splash when he appeared on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and played “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.”

More Ukulele Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a ukulelist.

Notable ukulelists include Troy Fernandez, George Formby, Gordon Freitas, Kalei Gamiao, Joni Mitchell, Amanda Palmer, Elvis Presley, Jake Shimabukuro, Taylor Swift, and Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam).

Hula Girl and Ukulele

Vintage Hawaii Travel Poster

Hula Girl and Ukulele Travel Poster

Listen to the Ukulele

Performed by Jake Shimabukuro

Who doesn’t love Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody?” But have you ever heard it played on a ukulele? Musician Jake Shimabukuro was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He loves the instrument and began taking lessons from his mother at the age of four. Jake was the first ukulele player to sign with Sony Music. He was also the subject of an award-winning documentary, “Jake Shimabukuro: Life On Four Strings.”

We Love Ukuleles

Looking for more ukulele facts? Here are some of our favorite pages about ukuleles for you to enjoy:

Business Cards for Performers and Teachers
Left-Hand Chord Charts

Shop for the Best Ukulele Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,500 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite ukulelist.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Ukulele collection.

Find a Ukulele Online

Beginner Soprano Ukulele Start Pack

Product details:

21-inch basswood top ukulele with linden back and sides
Four nylon strings
12 brass frets
Fret position marks at 5th, 7th and 10th frets on neck and top of fingerboard
Hand crafted instrument at an affordable price
Starter Pack includes black gig bag, strap, two picks, extra set of strings, polishing cloth, digital tuner
Perfect for beginners, both children and adults!

Soprano Ukulele Beginner Starter Pack with Waterproof Nylon Gig Bag and All the Accessories You Need to Start Playing Ukulele Bundle Includes High Quality Tuner, Extra String Set, Fingerboard Sticker, Chord Card, Strap, 2 Red Picks, Cleaning Cloth

Ukulele Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of ukuleles and accessories available on eBay. Find a ukulele sale and add this fun-to-play instrument to your collection.

Shop for Ukulele Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.

Shop for Ukuleles and Accessories

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Tambura Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on September 2, 2015

Tambura Facts

The tambura is a long-necked plucked string instrument, popular in the accompaniment of the sitar or sarod in Indian music. The body shape somewhat resembles a sitar, though a tambura has no frets. Its strings are always plucked at their full lengths. One or more tamburas are commonly used to accompany vocalists or other instrumentalists. The instrument is known by many names, including tanpura, tampuri, tanbura, and tamburi.

What makes the sound so distinctive? The instrument has four or five steel strings which are plucked with a plectrum. The strings are plucked one after another in regular patterns to create a harmonic resonance on the basic note or keynote. Because the body is typically carved from a single block of wood, the instrument can be quite heavy.

More Tambura Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a tamburist.

Notable tamburists include Ashwin Batish, Sri Shyamji Bhatnagar, Rumen Sirakov, Ranjani Sivakumar, and Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon.

Tanpura Tutor

Introduction to the Tambura by Ashwin Batish

Tanpura Tutor 1 – An Introduction

Listen to the Tambura

Performed by Sri Shyamji Bhatnagar

If you’re feeling stressed out, let the sound of the tambura lead you to a state of calm. As a young man, Sri Shyamji Bhatnagar studied with the renowned vocalist, Pran Nath, who believed that the expression of music was a sacred art and a pathway to the Divine. From Pran Nath and other vocalists, Shyamji learned to play the tambura. In the seventies he had the honor of accompanying Sitar Maestro Ravi Shankar, including performances at the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. As founder of the Chakra Institute, Sri Shyamji leads and inspires a worldwide network of students and professionals.

We Love Tamburas

Shop for the Best Tambura Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,500 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite tamburist.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Tambura collection.

Find a Tambura Online

Maharaja Traditional Style 4-String Tambura

Product details:

Traditional-style flat wooden toomba
Tun wood construction, camel bone bridge
Natural finish, polished to perfection
Exquisite detailing on front of instrument
3 steel strings, 1 brass string
Fine-tuning beads made with high quality plastic
Measures approximately 40 inches long
Mizrabs, extra set of strings
Hand made and professionally tested in India

Maharaja Traditional Style 4-String Tambura Handmade in India with Tun Wood Professional Quality Tanpuri with Amazing Acoustics and Magnificent Sound

Tambura Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of tamburas and accessories available on eBay. Find bargains on all kinds of Indian stringed instruments including tamburas.

Shop for Tambura Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.

Shop for Tamburas and Accessories

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Strumstick Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on September 1, 2015

Strumstick Facts

The Strumstick string instrument was designed in 1981 by Bob McNally, an accomplished musician, recording artist, and plastics engineer. His goal was to make it easy for anyone, particularly non-musicians, to learn to play music.

Bob began designing musical instruments in the 1970s. One of his previous designs, The Backpackers Guitar®, was licensed to world-famous guitar maker C. F. Martin and Co., Inc. in 1994.

Learning is Easy and Fun

Designed to be simple with only three strings, the Strumstick plays in just one key (or scale). Most string instruments are designed to be played by experts, with the notes needed for all 12 keys. Unlike more complicated instruments, there are no wrong notes. This makes learning easy and fun.

The frets are spaced to give you the notes of a major scale, plus one extra note that is handy to have. The other two strings make a background (a drone) which harmonizes with whatever you play on the fretted string. Chords are created automatically.

More Strumstick Facts

Fun Fact
Bob McNally also created the Space Guitar, a version of his backpacker guitar designed for a Space Shuttle mission in 1994. It was the first American guitar in space, and the first musical instrument ever designed to go to space.

Music Poster

Motivational Quote by Bill Evans

Acoustic Guitar Motivational Poster

Perfect for Acoustic Guitar Students

Are you learning to play the acoustic guitar? Learn the basics and grow your confidence with the Strumstick. Think of it as training wheels for guitar! If you already play another string instrument, the Strumstick can be used as a creative tool for composition. You can also play it for simple relaxation. Rediscover the simple joy of playing that brought you to music in the first place.

Awesome Beginning Instrument

Kids love the Strumstick! Are you looking for a beginning string instrument for a child? The best-selling D-33 model is a perfect choice. It’s lightweight, rugged, and easy to play. With a little supervision, kids as young as 3 are able to make music with it right from the start.

The Strumstick opens a door to the study of music. It’s fun to play, and much easier to learn than the guitar or ukulele. Each instrument comes with written and audio instructions, with plenty of online follow up and support. Give this easy string instrument a chance, and you’ll be making music in no time.

Beginning Instrument

McNally D-33 Grand Strumstick

Listen to the Strumstick

Introduction by Bob McNally

Strumstick creator Bob McNally introduces his best-selling D-33 model, which is longer and wider with a deeper tone. The G-29 is shorter and a little narrower with a brighter tone. Most people choose the D-33 as their first Strumstick. The G-29 can be used to add another “voice” and a different pitch range.

We Love Strumsticks

Shop for the Best Strumstick Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,500 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite Strumstick player.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Strumstick collection.

Find a Strumstick Online

McNally G-29 Standard Strumstick

Product details:

Handmade from padouk, spruce, and maple
Plays in the key of G
3 strings and a diatonic scale
Sounds similar to a banjo or dulcimer
Designed for ease of learning and playing
Created to be played with as little as one finger!
Instruction sheet and pick included
Ideal first instrument

McNally G-29 Strumstick, Key of G McNally Gig Bag for Strumstick, Key of G

McNally D-33 Grand Strumstick

Product details:

33 inches long (longer than standard model)
Handmade from padouk, spruce, and maple
Tunes to C or D
3 strings and a diatonic scale
Rosette soundhole
Sounds similar to a banjo or dulcimer
Pick, instruction CD, and book included
Great portable creative tool for the experienced musician

McNally D-33 Grand Strumstick McNally Gig Bag for Grand Strumstick

Strumstick Accessories

McNally Strumstick Instruction Video McNally Strumstick Songbook

Strumstick Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of Strumsticks and accessories available on eBay. Find bargains on all kinds of stringed instruments including Strumsticks.

Shop for Strumstick Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.

Shop for Strumsticks and Accessories

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Sitar Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on September 1, 2015

Sitar Facts

The sitar is a plucked stringed instrument used in Hindustani and Indian classical music. The instrument descended from lutes and was also influenced by the veena, an ancient Indian instrument. The body is characterized by a long hollow neck and a gourd resonating chamber at the lower end. Teak wood or tun wood are commonly used for the neck and faceplate. The instrument looks a lot like the tanpura, except that it has frets.

Here are a few more sitar facts. This unique instrument has 18, 19, or 20 strings. Six or seven are played strings which run over curved, raised frets. The rest are sympathetic strings which run underneath the frets and resonate in sympathy with the played strings. The frets are movable, which allows fine tuning.

More Sitar Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a sitarist.

Notable sitarists include Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, Ashwin Batish, Anjan Chattopadhyay, Annapurna Devi, Reenat Fauzia, Lowell George (Little Feat), George Harrison (The Beatles), Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones), Shri Premadasa Hegoda, Prem Joshua, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan and The Khan Family, Al Gromer Khan, Gabby La La, Dr. Swarn Lata, Emily Robison (Dixie Chicks), Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka Shankar, and Ronnie Wood (The Rolling Stones).

Lord Ganesha Playing Sitar

Poster Print

Lord Ganesha Playing Sitar

The Sitar in Mainstream Pop Culture

Though highly popular in the Indian culture, the sitar gained fame on the worldwide stage when the Beatles featured the instrument in several of their compositions. Sitarist Ravi Shankar inspired lead guitarist George Harrison to play the instrument on the song “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1965. “Love You To,” written and sung by George Harrison in 1966, was the first Beatles song to fully embrace Indian classical music.

George Harrison received one-on-one guidance from Ravi Shankar during a seven-week visit to India, which left a lasting impact on his musical style. He promoted Indian music for the remainder of his long and successful career.

Brian Jones played the instrument on The Rolling Stones 1966 hit “Paint It Black.” Another English guitarist, Dave Mason, played it on Traffic’s 1967 hits “Paper Sun” and “Hole in My Shoe.” Ravi Shankar described this pop song trend as “the great sitar explosion.”

Brian Jones Playing Sitar

Painting by John Froehlich
High Quality Giclee Print

Brian Jones Playing Sitar by John Froehlich

Listen to the Sitar

Performed by Anoushka Shankar

Anoushka Shankar is the daughter of Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. Anoushka began training with her father at the age of seven, eventually accompanying him on the tanpura. She was 13 when she performed sitar onstage for the first time at a concert celebrating her father’s 75th birthday. After establishing herself as a respected classical sitarist, Anoushka began composing music. Her unique style blends Indian music with flamenco, jazz, electronica, and Western classical genres. Musical talent runs in the family. Both she and her half-sister Norah Jones were nominated for Grammy awards in 2003.

We Love Sitars

Looking for more sitar facts? Here are some of our favorite pages about calming sitar music for you to enjoy:

George Harrison Songs List

Shop for the Best Sitar Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,500 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite sitarist.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Sitar collection.

Find a Sitar Online

Maharaja Musicals Electric Sitar

Product details:

#1 Rated Sitar
Fully tuned electric sitar with pick up
Handmade and professionally tested in India
Exquisite inlay work and floral carving
7 main strings and 13 sympathetic strings
Kharaj Pancham style
Mizrabs
Extra set of strings
Nylon padded gig case

Maharaja Musicals Electric Sitar, Fully Tuned Studio Edition with Mizrabs, Extra String Set Carefully Handmade in India from Natural Color Tun Wood with Exquisite Inlay Work

Sitar Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of sitars and accessories available on eBay. Find bargains on all kinds of Indian stringed instruments including sitars.

Shop for Sitar Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.

Shop for Sitars and Accessories

Explore String Kings Music

Instruments

Sarod Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on August 30, 2015

Sarod Facts

The sarod is a lute-like stringed instrument of Indian origin. Like the sitar, it’s a popular and prominent instrument in Hindustani classical music. The instrument is known for its deep, introspective sound, which contrasts nicely with the sweet texture of the sitar. The absence of frets allows players to glide easily from one note to another. This is known as meend, which is essential in the performance of Indian music.

Here are a few more interesting sarod facts. It’s likely the sarod descended from the Afghan rubab, a similar instrument with roots in Central Asia and Afghanistan. The word sarod means “beautiful sound” or “melody” in Persian, one of many languages spoken in Afghanistan.

Sarod Construction

How many strings are there? On a conventional instrument there are 17 to 25. Four to five main strings are used for playing the melody. There are also one or two drone strings, two chikari strings, and nine to eleven sympathetic strings. The strings are made of steel or phosphor bronze, and are usually plucked with a triangular hand-crafted coconut shell plectrum called a Javva. Some players prefer plectrums made of ebony, cocobolo wood, horn, or cowbone.

More Sarod Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a sarodist.

Notable sarodists include Amjad Ali Khan and his sons Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan, Abhisek Lahiri, Sharan Rani, K. Sridhar, Aditya Verma, and James Whetzel.

Indian Classical Ragas

Amjad Ali Khan
Listen with Unlimited Streaming

Indian Classical Ragas – Amjad Ali Khan

Listen to the Sarod

Performed by Amaan Ali Khan

Indian classical musician and composer Amaan Ali Khan explains the construction, techniques, and performance of the sarod. He’s a seventh generation Sarod Master, and was just eight years old when he gave his first public performance. Amaan is the son of Amjad Ali Khan and often performs with his younger brother Ayaan Ali Khan, with whom he hosted the music talent show Sa Re Ga Ma. He’s widely considered one of the finest players in the world, with fans on many continents.

We Love Sarods

Shop for the Best Sarod Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,500 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite sarodist.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Sarod collection.

Find a Sarod

Maharaja Sarod with Tumba – Ali Akbar Khan Style

Product details:

Full-size instrument hand-made in India
Professional quality
Thoroughly dried tun wood
Beautiful inlay work
Chrome-plated brass toomba
Coconut plectrum included
Extra strings included
Professionally tested before shipping

Maharaja Sarod with Tumba – Ali Akbar Khan Style Handmade in India Full-Size Professional Quality Sarod Made with Thoroughly Dried Tun Wood

Sarod Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of sarods and accessories available on eBay. Find bargains on all kinds of Indian stringed instruments including sarods.

Shop for Sarod Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.