The Tanpura is a musical instrument widely used to accompany Indian Classical music.
It is a 4-stringed instrument with a base made from cured pumpkin gourd and a wooden stem.
It is tuned to the chosen pitch or key and provides a constant background "drone" or
frame of reference against which the rest of the vocal or instrumental music is performed.
The four strings of the tanpura are usually tuned in one of these three combinations:
The middle two strings of the tanpura are always tuned to upper Sa, the last string to lower Sa (kharaj). The first string varies depending on the raag or scale being performed. Vocal performers frequently sing with two tanpuras tuned to the same pitch but with a different note for the first string.
The Tabla is a percussion instrument widely used in Indian Classical music both as a solo instrument and as an accompaniment to vocal or instrumental music. In recent times it has also gained acceptance in western and fusion music. It has two pieces: the left part is called the Bayaan or Dagga and provides the heavy bass, while the right part is called the Dayaan and provides the main percussion sound. The Bayaan is usually tuned to Kharaj (lower Sa) while the Dayaan is tuned to Sa.
The Sur-Peti or Shruti-Box is a simple drone instrument used in Indian Classical Music. Its sole function is to play one or more constant notes. One note is usually tuned to Sa. Additional notes can also be tuned to Pa, Ma or other important note of the raag being performed.
The Swar Mandal or Sur Mandal is an Indian harp or zither used to accompany Indian Classical musicians, especially vocal musicians. The number of strings can vary from 15 to 36. The musician usually tunes the strings to the notes of the raag being performed and then simply strums the strings as needed to provide an atmosphere of the raag.
The Manjira is a traditional percussion instrument of India. In its simplest form it is a pair of small hand cymbals. It is also known as manjeera, taal, tala, jalra or kartal.
Prasad Upasani is a professional musician, teacher and performer who also happens to be a talented programmer with over 15 years in IT. He has a Master's degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor's degree (Sangeet Visharad) in Indian Classical music. He lives in Southern California.
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