Are there any sarangi players in this forum?
If so, I have a few questions on technique.
1) Does one use the proximal or the distal end of the nail? I assumed that one would insert the string inside the fingernail and slide up and down. Is this correct?
2) As it's conventional to use the fingernail, would it work if one used fingertips? I would figure that if the esraj and dilruba allow the fingertips, why would the sarangi demand the fingernail otherwise?
3) What are the common surs (C#, E, etc.) for the sarangi?
Thank you very much!
Full Version: Sarangi Players Here?
QUOTE(raga_tala @ Jan 11 2008, 08:06 PM) 
Are there any sarangi players in this forum?
If so, I have a few questions on technique.
1) Does one use the proximal or the distal end of the nail? I assumed that one would insert the string inside the fingernail and slide up and down. Is this correct?
2) As it's conventional to use the fingernail, would it work if one used fingertips? I would figure that if the esraj and dilruba allow the fingertips, why would the sarangi demand the fingernail otherwise?
3) What are the common surs (C#, E, etc.) for the sarangi?
Thank you very much!
Hi Raga_Tala,
I would highly recommend Nicholas Magriel's webpage on the sarangi. It has probably got more details than any other I have come across and should be able to address most of your queries.
http://www.sarangi.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
For your second question, there is no clear answer on this site. I have my own (two cent) theory. The sarod does not have frets or ghats either and therefore the finger nail is used for the slide (meends, etc) and I can only imagine that the same is the case with the sarangi.
That said, as you mention, the esraj and dilruba are played with the finger tips (although they do have ghats)..... I have seen none of the above instruments played at close quarters and just wonder if (like the sitar) they pull the strings at the ghats for the meends.
We will await some gunijan's feedback.
QUOTE(shaibaal @ Jan 11 2008, 08:06 PM)
QUOTE(raga_tala @ Jan 11 2008, 08:06 PM)
Are there any sarangi players in this forum?
If so, I have a few questions on technique.
1) Does one use the proximal or the distal end of the nail? I assumed that one would insert the string inside the fingernail and slide up and down. Is this correct?
2) As it's conventional to use the fingernail, would it work if one used fingertips? I would figure that if the esraj and dilruba allow the fingertips, why would the sarangi demand the fingernail otherwise?
3) What are the common surs (C#, E, etc.) for the sarangi?
Thank you very much!
Hi Raga_Tala,
I would highly recommend Nicholas Magriel's webpage on the sarangi. It has probably got more details than any other I have come across and should be able to address most of your queries.
http://www.sarangi.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
For your second question, there is no clear answer on this site. I have my own (two cent) theory. The sarod does not have frets or ghats either and therefore the finger nail is used for the slide (meends, etc) and I can only imagine that the same is the case with the sarangi.
That said, as you mention, the esraj and dilruba are played with the finger tips (although they do have ghats)..... I have seen none of the above instruments played at close quarters and just wonder if (like the sitar) they pull the strings at the ghats for the meends.
We will await some gunijan's feedback.
I play the esraj, but I've kept my eyes and ears for the sarangi. Being intimidated by the difficulty, I opted for the esraj The frets are only "markers" for where your notes are. Like the sitar, you can move them for fine tuning, as well as moving the "Re" and "Dha' positions for ragas. For meends, you just slide up and down the finger board. You don't pull the strings like you do in sitar, although I do it occasionally. (okayy..... I do it a lot!!) It actually sounds pretty good, especially for fast movements. (good cheats, for doing heavy gamaks).
Though, I've heard that using the frets is not recommended, especially for the tar saptak. If you push down on the frets in the tar saptak, you risk putting too much pressure on the bridge which inreases the risk of the bridge breaking the skin.
QUOTE
I play the esraj, but I've kept my eyes and ears for the sarangi. Being intimidated by the difficulty, I opted for the esraj The frets are only "markers" for where your notes are. Like the sitar, you can move them for fine tuning, as well as moving the "Re" and "Dha' positions for ragas. For meends, you just slide up and down the finger board. You don't pull the strings like you do in sitar, although I do it occasionally. (okayy..... I do it a lot!!) It actually sounds pretty good, especially for fast movements. (good cheats, for doing heavy gamaks).
Though, I've heard that using the frets is not recommended, especially for the tar saptak. If you push down on the frets in the tar saptak, you risk putting too much pressure on the bridge which inreases the risk of the bridge breaking the skin.
Though, I've heard that using the frets is not recommended, especially for the tar saptak. If you push down on the frets in the tar saptak, you risk putting too much pressure on the bridge which inreases the risk of the bridge breaking the skin.
Raga_Tala,
You are way more qualified to talk about all aspects of classical music than me! I am just a devoted listener. I imagine you have been playing for a while now - especially if you are capable of 'fast movements'!
I am attaching a picture of a 'sarod hand' that I had taken a couple of years ago. I know this is not taking your particular query forward - but thought I would post it just because I had it!
Click to view attachment
Guys,
I am a great fan of the sarangi....... Is there sarangi instrumental raags available in the market??
Pls lemme know..
Thanks
I am a great fan of the sarangi....... Is there sarangi instrumental raags available in the market??
Pls lemme know..
Thanks
QUOTE(shaibaal @ Jan 13 2008, 12:34 PM)
QUOTE
I play the esraj, but I've kept my eyes and ears for the sarangi. Being intimidated by the difficulty, I opted for the esraj The frets are only "markers" for where your notes are. Like the sitar, you can move them for fine tuning, as well as moving the "Re" and "Dha' positions for ragas. For meends, you just slide up and down the finger board. You don't pull the strings like you do in sitar, although I do it occasionally. (okayy..... I do it a lot!!) It actually sounds pretty good, especially for fast movements. (good cheats, for doing heavy gamaks).
Though, I've heard that using the frets is not recommended, especially for the tar saptak. If you push down on the frets in the tar saptak, you risk putting too much pressure on the bridge which inreases the risk of the bridge breaking the skin.
Though, I've heard that using the frets is not recommended, especially for the tar saptak. If you push down on the frets in the tar saptak, you risk putting too much pressure on the bridge which inreases the risk of the bridge breaking the skin.
Raga_Tala,
You are way more qualified to talk about all aspects of classical music than me! I am just a devoted listener. I imagine you have been playing for a while now - especially if you are capable of 'fast movements'!
I am attaching a picture of a 'sarod hand' that I had taken a couple of years ago. I know this is not taking your particular query forward - but thought I would post it just because I had it!
Click to view attachment
Thanks for the photo of the sarod hand.
I've been playing esraj since December 2004 without a teacher. I learned some fast movements, but I am nowhere near the great masters of the instrument, such as Pt. Randhir Roy and Pt. Baluji Shrivastava. Have you ever heard his Bhairavi composition in the album "Art of the Indian Dilruba?" I think it's the best composition for Bhairavi I have heard to date.
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