The Music of the Sitar
For avid listeners of Sitar Music the enchanting and melodic sounds of the sitar offers an enriching music from which to get rid of the stressors of the day. The timbres and tones of the instrument innately bring about a state of meditation, tranquility and meditation that is unrivaled by most instruments anywhere. It is a unique and popular form of Indian Classical Music, with specialties and characteristics that are different from any other instrument in this class.
The Sitar can be appreciated by many of those that listen to its sound , however when you understand some things regarding the Sitar then you can appreciate the music on a higher level . When you understand the amount of training the sitarist must undertake, and the dexterity it requires, and understanding of the principles about the ragas, then the music becomes a glorious expression of consciousness in such a way that raises the one who hears the songinto a meditative trance.
With over 17 strings, 7 of which are above the frets and 13 of which run underneath the frets and most of them being varying lengths makes for a dizzying amount of variety in the sitarists availale songs, even tuning the sitar takes a considerable amount of patience . It is not uncommon to break a string while tuning and then restringing comes into consideration. Then the player must tune the sitar to the pitches of the Raga to be played so he or she can tune the strings to the notes of that particular raga. When all this is done, he must then be able to communicate with his tabla player, his tanpura player, and any other musicians that are on stage with him at the time. It appears almost as telepathy between the players, and it dazzles and awes the audience. This heavenly variety of music is loved by many, appreciated by more, and hardly ever fully comprehended.

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