My Sitar & I

[abrahm714]

That is a beautiful instrument... are you having to be your own jawari? (sitar tech... lol)

[Xsmoke657x]

Is there a smokey feature in this clip? Lol just wondering, still love this, u need to make a new vid with u playing,

[hellwitchify]

You got talent. But you play it like it's a guitar! Get a teacher and you'll be all good. Happy playing.

[Zebonka]

Hehe, I was (still am) just a guitarist. At the time I wanted to see what a sitar would be like, and I had a lot of fun with it. It gathers a lot of dust at the moment, it needs a *lot* of work done to it.

[crackawise]

DUDE!!! your incredible, this has got to be the in the top 3 Sitar players on all of youtube and that includes RAVI!!!!!

[Zebonka]

Oh dear God no, just watch Anoushka Shankar play at the George Harrison tribute. Now THERE is a sitar player, hehe. Thanks though!

[FredFan123100]

Another George Harrison?

[Zebonka]

We'll never top the first one!

[TheFaustox]

Well, I read in the comments that you don't know how to play it. You just make what you think at the moment right? Just like the guitar! If it's that way, I supose it's easy. Because I do that thing with my guitar too XD

[Crdmapleleafs]

Nice man, can you play any rock tunes man!!?

[heckfricker]

Ya but can you play Free Bird on it?

[Zebonka]

Don't tempt me!

[Xsmoke657x]

Simply Beatiful =)

[devons2gda]

Awesome playing bro! :)

[HippieInACanNYC]

HIPPIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FabiolinoBR]

Do you want to be like George Harrison ?! : )

[darodaro9]

not bad

[STERNrogering]

what is there to say except, ganja

[Academic1Researcher]

you look cool man i like your sitar by the way oh and you look like jesus a little bit haha no but seriously ty for cool vid

[tropical481]

I love the sound of a sitar. :)

[HarryTurdKnocker]

I've never played a sitar but I've always wanted to. I've been playing guitar for 13 years. I thought you did a really good job on the sitar for having it for 5 days, even with experience playing guitar.

[sdfive]

0:43: Am I on acid? Oh. Never mind.

[WillieG1016]

@sdfive hahahahaha! i laughed out loud after reading this :D

[dtseringdorje]

An interesting sitar virtuoso. Not bad. Not bad at all. I encouradge more study, more inquaery, more practice nessesary. Take lessons and try music with larger circle of musicians, introducting tabla, mrdanga, percussion, key-boards and vocals.Music is for enjoyment. Have fun!

[Zebonka]

That is most kind! I really was just messing around. Some day (God knows when) I'd like to have a proper attempt at learning.

[sparks468]

I'm really interested in learning how to play the sitar but I have no musical experience what so ever. So, I was wondering how long it took you to learn what you played in this video?

[Zebonka]

I hate to say it, but I didn't learn anything - I was just making crap up! It's pretty much the same as when I play guitar; I just sat there and played around with it.

[luposcorro95]

@sparks468 Its not necessarely a bad thing if you have no experience when learning to play the sitar. Often western musicians who play guitar who decide to play treat the sitar like a twangy guitar (obviously not this guy). Having no experience will let you start fresh and depending onhow inclined you are itll be easier to learn. And about 95% of sitar playing is improved.

[sparks468]

@luposcorro95 Hey thanks for the advice. I still need to find someone in my area to teach me the fuckin' thing haha. Peace.

[TheShantanu1985]

If u hav learnt this on urself, u r awesome!!! i m learning sitar here in India and I know how difficult it is to pluck with just ur thumbs!

I suggest u just learn the way to hold it and pluck it peoperly. the music which u create is awesome.

[Zebonka]

I'd like to ... one day ... !

[Stratocaster65]

How much $ did u pay? What is the brand name?... It sounds unbelievable....

[Zebonka]

@Stratocaster65 It was $400 Australian at the time, which is pretty rare for a sitar. I have no idea what brand it is, but I was looking on google images recently and saw one just like it.

[aczeppelindc2908]

try covering zeppelin with a sitar!!!

[atman5150]

DIG IT!!! Nice melody.

[Johnfrooshlover]

You got that 5 days ago! and you play that well?! I guess it's because you play guitar. I'm getting a sitar soon, and i play guitar as well so we'll see how i do.

[monkeycrap25]

sounds like something they would play in a tv show when someone was on acid

[whammybarfreak]

dude you kinda look like frank zappa, and i love the sitar

[leonardoboy2]

I love it!

[EPICT0ASTER]

in the words of george harrison "ravi shankar hasn't learned the sitar and he's been playing it for 35 years"

[allybaba12]

im 14 and i got a sitar but were do i take lessons.

[AzathothianBrew]

Pretty good sitar jam with trippy psychedelic effects at times!

[stag40]

The sitar is great instument man! 5 stars. A very expressive instrument.

[G19653]

i saw you said you dont play it any more if you wanna sell it let me no?

[Zebonka]

Not very likely. Thanks for passing by though!

[pigeonflipper]

very cool man,,, you used to play bass with ozzy ozbourne yes ?? :)

[stradivarius71]

cool!

[blashyrhkRAAA]

now that shit is metal.

[LittleMissCheivious]

you're a natural!!!!!....but you're holding it wrong

[FrothySpoons]

I'm looking for a sitar, I have absolutely No idea where to start

good ones? please help

they look like fun I play guitar myself

could you point me in the right direction?

[Zebonka]

Honestly I dunno. I simply got very lucky with mine - a lady was selling it very cheap in a local newspaper and I happened to see it at the right time.

My best suggestion would be sites like Ebay or Craigslist ... aside from that just keep your eyes open and be prepared to pay a bit - a cheap sitar is rare, and a GOOD cheap sitar even rarer ....

Cheers!

[sadnaruto523]

dude your good

[seansuperman]

They have a few on amazon for like 3 or 400 bucks, but I think they're 3/4 size, and I have no idea if thats good or not

[clarkshapedbox]

ebay!

amazon!

[shibainuwalker]

@FrothySpoons

Hey I have owned 2 sitars. I just bought a new half size sitar on Ebay. It's awesome only 201.00 US dollars. Free shipping comes with extra strings, cd and bag. Search sitar free shipping on Ebay. Have fun and good luck!

[NariSkate]

try your luck at craigslist or ebay :)

[SirJohnamus]

I think you capture the sound of the instrument well in this video.

I love the sitar.

[Battousaix87]

You should make a new video since like 3 years have already passed. Show us your improved skills!

[Zebonka]

If anything I'd probably be a lot worse ... haven't played it much since then, it's spent about a year gathering dust in my room. Couple of strings have pinged into nowhere too, no idea how to restring it ...

but I might have a look sometime.

Cheers!

[fawadrizvi]

Awesome Dudeu..you just made me HATE SITAR!!

[Zebonka]

Cool!

[BAyuGZZ]

did you have a lesson or something?

[Zebonka]

Nope, and I think it shows

[Hollowgrover]

Love it! i want a Sitar sooo badly! I love the sound

[ketchupisevil]

First I looked at the small icon and I thought it was Frank Zappa. When I went through the first few seconds, I thought it was Guthrie Govan...

[Zebonka]

I'd take either of those, personally!

[swanizback]

OMG this guy looks like John Frusciante & John Belushi with... long hair! :) good job "by the way"

[Basilicos]

Awesome Râga ! :-))

[getlow94]

play norwegian wood xD

[kelp234]

AWESOME. COOL VIDEO EFFECTS BTW

[HenningChristensen93]

Please... Keep it down! You honestly don't have to yell...

[MunkdGuru]

how do you know he's yelling??

[roosterman369]

id wanna hear like some sitar DETHMETTEL!!!!

[njmjpena]

dude, for five days that was awesome.

i have some experience with electric guitar, but ive never even seen a sitar in person would it be difficult for me to learn?

[eijk82]

Wow...I've just known that former bass player of metallica cliff burton plays sitar as well

[rodog1969]

beener

[exigentrevolution]

Okay, unlike some bastards on here, I can understand...I'd be no better after five days. I have a couple questions...A) where did you find this? and B) how much was it?

I play the cello, which was quite a difficult instrument (no frets, haha) and I'd love to tackle this.

[Zebonka]

I found mine in a local newspaper, $400 Australian. Exchange rates being what they were in 2006, it was a very low price, but the sitar itself is in terrible condition.

You should be able to get one off eBay for not too much more!

[Hatz94]

tight

[Qazic12]

Hey Zebonka, did you ever try using a sitar effect pedal on your guitar, do they sound like the real thing?

[kungfuGR]

excuse me man, i m a guitarist too, and play sitar, but in order to play sitar u have to learn ragas, notes, rythmic cycles and play with mizrabs, is not guitar, what u play is awfull , sorry and offensive for an religious organ , theres no point in what u playing, u shlould learn in order to repsect music

[Zebonka]

Mate, I'm just mucking about, and I think respecting people is a lot more important than respecting music.

[a5987b]

practice what you preach, "mate"

[Zebonka]

Believe you me, I was being very restrained with this guy.

He's an egomaniac and pretentious. 'Religious organ' my hat.. life is too short for this crap, if I want to muck about on an instrument that *I* paid for, then I'll bloody well do it!

It's good enough for most everyone else; why does this guy have to open his trap?

Anyway, as I said I was very restrained. I didn't flame him or anything.

[bummer6]

You shouldn't let him get to you. Sure you may not be a great sitar player, but you were just having fun, right? There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, and if anyone thinks there is, they need to lighten up a bit, wouldn't you agree? :P

[stargate669]

dude was it really necessary to drink on the vid? my 6 year old nephew now thinks he has to drink while playing sitar. When did Ravi Shankar eat and drink while playing sitar?

[Zebonka]

I dunno, I don't think there's anything wrong with a bit of fruit juice here and there.

[Hobejo]

you'll die of dehydration if you don't drink while playing the sitar because of the pure awesomeness of the instrument.

[PlatinumDestroyer]

pretty sweet

[marlonpiran]

lixoo lixoo :D

[mari66101]

I am impressed with your talent for only 5 days of owning that sitar.

Keep up your playing, and post  more videos.

Love the sound of the sitar, pity it isnt used more in rock music as it was in the 60's.

p.s. you look like Jethro Tull.....LOL

[mastercfromhalo3]

what type of sitar is this and how much did it set you back? im thinking about buyin one as a starter

[Zebonka]

It was a dusty old ornament in some woman's house :) It was serving as a decoration; I have no idea what the brand is and it was in terrible shape when I got it (cracks in the neck where the tuning pegs are, a few dings in the gourd part).

It was $400 AU which for a sitar is actually pretty cheap.

You would easily find a better one on eBay if you wait around long enough.

[ConverseKitsune]

Very neat :D

[dollyoverload]

very good for 5 days!

[logmanlol]

i love it it poet me to sleep it woes so come

not in a bad way

[oingoboingofanatic]

so cool...like the video trip too : )

[mistressmystery022]

dude your freaking awesome! lol looking a bit buzzed out tho XD

[zetetic0void]

How appropriate to be buzzed out when playing the buzzy sitar ...haha

just kidding, I love that about the sitar sound.

Sounds great and nice especially for 5 days with it.

[Gregoroar]

you look like jethro tull!

[guitarlad89]

hey zebonka, 2 ques........1.how did u obatain one, and 2. how much did it cost??? sounds effin amzing tho.

[Zebonka]

Hey there,

It was for sale in a local newspaper for 400 Australian dollars. I'd never seen one so cheap so I bought it right away.

[sniperskullz]

400 bucks wow Great Playin I play guitar to so would it be easy to pick up??  Ahh soo trippy :D Thanks

[BaphometsUnholySon]

*jealous*

Now I must just find one in NZ and I'll be sweet

The one I did find one was sold...ergh

Your damn lucky and you play quite well

Great stuff

[thekillers1293]

what is the tuning of a sitar?

[Homunculusgmbh]

haha, you are funny...

[goonge101]

He's downing pure LSD before playing this

[laziruss]

I lol'd so hard.

[jackalopebaird]

@goonge101 the best way to play sitar

[DrummerCoCa]

Dude, nice job! Sitars are pretty sweet.

Nice hair, too, mine's long as well and I'm a guy :P

[SteelJawAnchorFace9]

i must say pretty badass for only 5 days!!!

your really good!

i wish i had a sitar....

[SierraBanana]

i love yoooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[Zebonka]

Hahaha

[lukikrestuki69]

you look like john frusciante

[stubs13]

can you tune the 6 actual strings to the traditional guitar tuning? I would think so

[bpd777]

for about $350, you can buy an "Electric Sitar" off of Musician's Friend which is a Rogue knock off of a 1960's Danelectro. It has a guitar neck and 6 strings tuned like a guitar, and also hase 13 sympathetic drone strings. I know so much because I am going to buy one.

[Frugaleo]

sounds really awesome

[a280281]

wow it sounds so fucking magical in some weird way i play guitar and i tried a sitar when i was traveling around india but the strings where about an inch away from the fret board ? i just couldnt get it

[werewolflupe9908]

i want one o_o, they aound so awsome :D

[monkeylad44]

Really awesome, I wish I could play one...but I

can't even play a guitar, probly not even a banjo...I'd kill to be able to play the sitar.

[Boyd89]

Probably not EVEN a banjo?

Mate I've been playing stringed instruments the vast majority of my life, from guitar to bouzouki to mandolin to violin... and both times I've picked a banjo I've shat a brick because it's just too complicated for me to play haha

[monkeylad44]

Ah, well I never even seen one, I was thinking

they had less strings than a guitar...therefore

giving the impression it might be easier, lol

[iamrobertpaulson]

God you are music stupid.

[monkeylad44]

Hey I listen to it, I've never played any, ease up.

[mwright165]

hey monkeylad44 you can fucking well play the sitar if ya want to lad all you have to do is believe in yourself and practice like a crazy fucker! also like boyd89 above i play a lot of stringed instruments and the hardest for me is banjo! so go out there and get a sitar! good luck man! and never give up

[monkeylad44]

Lol, well I am a crazy fucker...thanks I'll do it!XD

[Harrisonmon]

Don't take offense at this, but...

Hell no.

[monkeylad44]

Thanks to youtube's retarded messaging system, I

can't tell which of my message you're replying to

it just shows your reply at the top of the list

as if you replying directly to the video...

[peacefrog421]

you my friend. are full of win.

- Canada

[Zebonka]

Thankyou!

[thekillers1293]

feels like i'm in Rishikesh! ahhhhhhhhhhhh! lol

[hermitcrab3]

Very Well Done, that looks rather Complicated to play 5/5

[metalmidget89]

Makes me think of the desert world from Mario 64 lol.

[c0metv0mit]

I love the sound of a sitar. you play it wonderfully! x

[gammainn]

This was awesome. I love sitar.

[driftz0r]

That was awesome. I plan on getting a sitar soon, a mate I know who happens to be Indian is going back and reakons they are dirt cheap ( Probably around 150-200 Australian including import tax etc ) Do sitars have similar scales to guitars or same notes or techniques ? I'd hope I could find a book on learning the sitar

[Zebonka]

Hey there,

sitar is a very different beast to the guitar if you plan on playing it properly :) I'm setting a bad example with this video, put it that way.

Good luck though, to get the most out of it I highly recommend finding a guru on the thing!

[LordConner]

where do get a sitar?

[manly427]

I want one too.

[clepsyd]

Depends on where you live. US or Europe?

[peterhamilrules]

hey you're holding it wrong, and you're only supposed to use your first 2 fingers when playing the sitar unless you're playing like crazy fast. thats part of what makes it a sitar not a guitar.

-peace

[Zebonka]

Hey man, thanks!

Yeh, this was more or less only the 4th time I'd played the thing (I can't remember the exact number of times), I've since read up and looked at as many other players as I can.

I don't seriously attempt sitar anymore, I still have the thing and play it from time to time.

Cheers!

[williestra]

yo kinda look like george harrison hahaha nice work man

[MetallicGod07]

NIce video. Love the sitar too!

[PlatinumDestroyer]

Hey man, that was awesome. I intend to play the sitar myself, though I play the bass already. Keep the hair too man, lol. Post some of your regular guitar vids, ill send yah a bass video. Keep sitarin', peace.

[rabbitsrock07]

The sound that the sitar always makes me feel...I don't know, mystic? Well, whatever anyone else says, I think you're good. ^-^ Keep up the good work!

[SoupySalesNmyFly]

If I could ask.. I've been shopping for a sitar. Where did you purchase yours? How do you feel of the quality of the instrument? Any downsides? If it wasn't online, do you know of any online stores? Please reply. I'm desperate for one of these instruments..

[Zebonka]

I was very lucky to find this one, it was in a local newspaper and extremely cheap ($400 Australian).

Having said that it was an ornament in this persons house for many years and isn't a terribly great sitar at all.

Keep your eyes open, I guess... look everywhere. If possible, play it before buying it. And find a good teacher!

Seeya.

[Roxas1269]

Demyx plays sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­ooooo much betta!

[Zebonka]

God... I watched that Demyx video after someone told me about it.

It's fucking stupid. There isn't even a sitar in it.

Looooooooooooooousy.

[kissIsbest]

you looks like tony iommi

[SteveVaiFreak]

haha .... that's true

[isamage2]

he is kinda a hippy dude

lmfao

you hippie i dont wat to be in your trance!!

[brunoericklara]

You must be such an ignorant person. I highly doubt you could ever play any musical instruments.

[Zebonka]

Well, you clicked it... you can't unclick it.

Sucked in, fascist.

[Lisakadaj]

I dont like it but you whas god....

[Zebonka]

PS. However, you can do a bit of what I think is called 'air tapping', where you tap on the strings to get harmonics going.

Harmonics do sound quite awesome on a sitar.

[Zebonka]

Finger tapping actually doesn't work out too well on a sitar... I did try it!

[modernhipppie32]

dude im only 14 but i wanna learn the sitar. itl be my 4th instrument but my mom wants me to learn on a mini one then but a regular one do u think i should do that or just get a normal one?

ur prety good by the way

[musicjunkie174]

im thirteen and i wanna learn it too...where do you buy them???

[modernhipppie32]

you can buy them on the internet. just go to google and look up buy sitars and a bunch of stuff will pop up

[jackington105]

cool thanks

[Hogie506]

I'm 14 year old number 2 who wants to learn sitar... same questions as the above!!

[hellohandgunxx]

so you're a 14 year old turd?

[Zebonka]

Come on man, is that necessary?

Group hug.

[Hogie506]

Haha fuck yeah! *group hug*

And yes Im a 14 year old turd.

[Jimimarshallhendrix2]

Dude your fucking awsome and you look like the drummer from Led Zeppelin. nice playing keep at it. P.S where did you get that?

[Zebonka]

HAHA,

thanks!

I saw it for sale in a local newspaper... was very lucky to find it, honestly

[koooooooooooooooop]

dude u literly remind me of geogre harrison the hair sitar face everything. dude your awsome i coudnlt imagine trying to get my fingers to go tht fast after 5 days

[Peterthechinamen]

You're my F'ing Hero!

[skyymx]

how'd u get so good so quick?? i want to get one of these i play guitar too and could you tell me where to find a CHEAP sitar?

[toddfloren]

Sounds good. Do sitars stay in key no matter where you play, or no?

[Zebonka]

Well .... not exactly. The scales certainly are different to what us Westerners play, but it's hardly random notes.

I haven't played this thing in months, I keep promising that one day I'll put in the effort and find a proper teacher.

[Bkunk999]

I know its like Ra, Sa. I dont really understand that, what would it be like on a normal scale?