@munkdo3 I'm not a regular player, I have a sitar at my home, among many other instruments, and play just once in a while. I would say it's fairly easy to learn, especially if you're familiar with other stringed instruments, and it's hard to master.
nice man I I just bought one from a hole in the wall shop in Claremont, CA its in fare condition Im having it onced over by the owner to get into respectable playing conditions (its good but minor things 62 years old) do you have any good pointers or websites I can self teach off of because Im moving to Atlanta GA and its going to be near impossible to find a teacher out there
Nice sounds! I'm going to do some backpacking in India and before I leave this wonderful country I'd like to purchase a sitar! How did you bring your sitar home to Russia?
India is really the best place to buy a sitar, you will have a good choice of instruments and the prices are just fantastic! I paid around $300 for a semi-pro sitar (the students of Ravi Shankar use the instruments like mine). Bringing sitar to Russia was piece of cake, I bought a good fiberglass case with soft protective insides (add $70) and checked it with my luggage. Normally they won't allow you to carry such bulky item in your cabin baggage.
Thanks a lot! Can I ask you what you payed for the drums in the background, what drums should I search for? I'm not very familiar with the terminology of Indian instruments as I've only been playing instruments from the west.
You're welcome. In the background is a djembe, it's not native Indian instrument, its origin is Africa, although this one was made by Indian craftsmen. I paid for it 1500 Rupees (around $30) after long bargaining. It's big and heavy and sounds nice. If you want Indian percussion, you should look for tabla. In Delhi you can buy a decent set of tabla for $50.
I think learning a proper technique will require some time and effort, but you can start enjoying sitar right out of the box.
India is certainly not the only place to buy a sitar, although elsewhere it can be five or six times more expensive than in India. And cheaper sitar usually sounds not so great... I noticed the difference at the shop.
I was able to play something after a few days of learning. I didn't take any lessons from teacher, I only had a small brochure with basic explanations. So my style is "hippy", which is pretty different from Indian classical. :) I'm more inspired by fusion players like Ananda Shankar and Prem Joshua
Just so you know, Prem Joshua and Ananda Shankar(really any fusion player even) will still be using proper technique. You would do well for yourself to at least learn to pick it properly or you'll never be able to get the sitar to sound its best. Even if you don't care to learn any technique other than that, right hand technique is key in just getting the instrument to sound its best. Also proper right hand technique allows more access to the melody strings allowing for more ability rhythmically
how long have you played and how hard is it to learn?
munkdo3 1 year ago
@munkdo3 I'm not a regular player, I have a sitar at my home, among many other instruments, and play just once in a while. I would say it's fairly easy to learn, especially if you're familiar with other stringed instruments, and it's hard to master.
apaschuk 1 year ago
I see a red door and I want it painted black.
jmaytin 1 year ago
very paint it black by the stones at the start, is anyone else getting that or just me?
ithotofthisfirst 2 years ago
nice man I I just bought one from a hole in the wall shop in Claremont, CA its in fare condition Im having it onced over by the owner to get into respectable playing conditions (its good but minor things 62 years old) do you have any good pointers or websites I can self teach off of because Im moving to Atlanta GA and its going to be near impossible to find a teacher out there
Deathklok17 2 years ago
Nice sounds! I'm going to do some backpacking in India and before I leave this wonderful country I'd like to purchase a sitar! How did you bring your sitar home to Russia?
balor88 2 years ago
India is really the best place to buy a sitar, you will have a good choice of instruments and the prices are just fantastic! I paid around $300 for a semi-pro sitar (the students of Ravi Shankar use the instruments like mine). Bringing sitar to Russia was piece of cake, I bought a good fiberglass case with soft protective insides (add $70) and checked it with my luggage. Normally they won't allow you to carry such bulky item in your cabin baggage.
apaschuk 2 years ago
Thanks a lot! Can I ask you what you payed for the drums in the background, what drums should I search for? I'm not very familiar with the terminology of Indian instruments as I've only been playing instruments from the west.
Thanks again!
balor88 2 years ago
You're welcome. In the background is a djembe, it's not native Indian instrument, its origin is Africa, although this one was made by Indian craftsmen. I paid for it 1500 Rupees (around $30) after long bargaining. It's big and heavy and sounds nice. If you want Indian percussion, you should look for tabla. In Delhi you can buy a decent set of tabla for $50.
apaschuk 2 years ago
awesome. where did you get that sitar from? i really want one.
jimihendrix5557 3 years ago
Biba shop, Darya Ganj, New Delhi, India
apaschuk 3 years ago
Aww I didn't plan on going to India.. So how do you play a sitar anyway? I heard there are only a few strings you actually play a lot.
jimihendrix5557 3 years ago
Yes, you play the first string a lot. ;)
I think learning a proper technique will require some time and effort, but you can start enjoying sitar right out of the box.
India is certainly not the only place to buy a sitar, although elsewhere it can be five or six times more expensive than in India. And cheaper sitar usually sounds not so great... I noticed the difference at the shop.
apaschuk 3 years ago
Haha ok. Thanks for the information!
jimihendrix5557 3 years ago
the thing at the begining sounds like paint it black lol but the other stuff sounds great
blablablaROCKIT 3 years ago
well, it IS paint it black :)
apaschuk 3 years ago
I really want one but their like a grand for a good one. I don't even know where I could get lessons in Houston.
The electric sitar is only 300 and is shaped like a guitar so if you can play the guitar , you can play an electric sitar.
phishfan08 3 years ago
Thanks!! :)
MNZ2007 3 years ago
I'm thinking of trying one, just how hard is to get a descent tune, many practise?
MNZ2007 3 years ago
I was able to play something after a few days of learning. I didn't take any lessons from teacher, I only had a small brochure with basic explanations. So my style is "hippy", which is pretty different from Indian classical. :) I'm more inspired by fusion players like Ananda Shankar and Prem Joshua
apaschuk 3 years ago
Just so you know, Prem Joshua and Ananda Shankar(really any fusion player even) will still be using proper technique. You would do well for yourself to at least learn to pick it properly or you'll never be able to get the sitar to sound its best. Even if you don't care to learn any technique other than that, right hand technique is key in just getting the instrument to sound its best. Also proper right hand technique allows more access to the melody strings allowing for more ability rhythmically
Itheprosperone 3 years ago