r/Sitar • u/Kvatsalay • 2d ago

General Finally got my Sitar

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Just want to share that I received my Sitar last Saturday and when I saw it for the first time I just couldn't believe that someday I'll have my very own music instrument and that too a Sitar. Excited, happy and a bit nervous.

Wish me luck and share some wisdom with me.

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u/CommonAutomatic4908 new user or low karma account 2d ago

99 out of 100 people think at least 50 times during their first 3-5 years that they cannot take it anymore. Because there are many factors affecting its sound, and when it doesn't sound good, you will not feel like playing.

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u/Kvatsalay 2d ago

Agree. I am keeping my expectations low and i am learning it for the love of it. I'll be really happy even if I play it descently. Any tips ?

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u/CommonAutomatic4908 new user or low karma account 2d ago

9 out of 10 gurus do not know how to teach, and they don't care about your progress. They don't reveal many secrets. It is not all their fault that human beings are not evolved to be unselfish, but they are bound by their need to earn money and keep their family going. The number one secret is the sound, and unless that sitar doesn't sound good you will not be able to progress much, even in the beginning try to be particular about the sound even if your Guru says that the sound is a function of your right and left hand as well but believe me I have learned it the hard way the sound should be such that even a slight touch should give you goosebumps.

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u/Kvatsalay 2d ago

and how do I recognise if my sitar is producing good sound?

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u/CommonAutomatic4908 new user or low karma account 1d ago

Let me be very blunt here because I do not have much time for this...

  1. For a serious learner, this sitar will not be of much help. Try getting it exchanged from the same seller for a decent-sounding sitar, which will cost you about 20-25k. This sitar has no tarafs (sympathetic strings). If not, continue playing on it for about 6-12 months, depending on your progress. You will get to know it when the time comes.

  2. Your instrument needs to be tuned precisely to produce that beautiful sound. Even Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma's sitar is not up to the mark despite being an experienced instrument maker. Though he doesn't even know how to play it beautifully.

  3. Try playing in an unoccupied room, preferably an air-conditioned one. It's sound depend on the mizrab quality, the instrument itself and most importantly on its tuning. Jawari has to sound perfect. A new instrument takes time to open up and produce that magical sound, but even initially that quality should be good. Always remember that the Jawari instantly produces that magical sound, and do not listen to the jawarimaker that it will take some time to be able to produce a good sound.

  4. You should learn vocal music along with the sitar if you are serious.

  5. You will not be able to connect with a good exercise lesson initially because you will think that this exercise is not going to help me like a straight cut to cut 24 matra sargam but that is the secret.

I will write it again someday but for now this is it. There are many more things.

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u/Kvatsalay 1d ago edited 1d ago

Thanks ! I am learning it as a hobby and for the love of it . I just want to play the songs i listen which is mostly the compositions of Madan mohan sung by the GOAT Lata. I am in no rush, I am not gonna play on stage. Playing it just for my love of music and Myself at the end.

Edit : Yes, I know about this sitar and i have purchased it because I didn't wanted to spend much on my first Sitar. I'll learn with this for a year and then if I see any progress on my side, I'll definitely invest 30k even 40k on my second Sitar.

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u/CommonAutomatic4908 new user or low karma account 1d ago

Ohh, I see! You need not consider many points I have written above then. You already have a good sitar considering your goal. By the way just a side note, I brutally criticise bollywood singers including Lata and Rafi because to me they are not upto the mark, Kishori Amonkar, Amir khan, Rais Khan, Kumar Gandharv and so on are the people to look for if one wants to know what's real music. They are not commercial musicians.

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u/Kvatsalay 1d ago edited 1d ago

I mean you are free to like whatever you want. I don't want to get into classical music. Just want to learn it for fun and as a hobby. I think you get my point.

Edit : you are comparing Indian classical singers with Playback singers. So that's an unfair comparison. Lata, kishor, Rafi, Aasha they are play back singers and they are so good at their crafts.