Sarod

Sarod

by David Hauck

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarod

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Akbar_Khan

https://indianmusicaljourneyblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/differences-between-sitar-veena-and-tanpura/

Background

• 17-25 stringed, fretless chordophone
• Most common stringed instrument in India after the Sitar
• 4-5 main melody strings
• 1-2 drone strings
• 2 chikari strings
• 9-11 sympathetic* strings

*designed to resonate when other strings are plucked to create supporting/reinforcing sounds

History

• believed by some to be descended from the Afgan rubab
• Other people believe it to be descended from the Chinese veena
• found on a ancient Indian coin depicting King Samudragupta playing a veena
• "Sarod" translates roughly into "beautiful sound" in Persian