About the Indian String instrument Sarod

The Sarode is an adaptation of the Afghan rabab, which arrived in India during the 16th century. The modern form of the instrument was designed in the 19th century. It is one of the most important concert instruments in Hindustani Music.

The Rebab was modified by Amir Khusru in the 13th century. Dr Lalmani Misra opines in his "Bharatiya Sangeet Vadya" that the Sarode is an amalgamation of the ancient Chitra Veena, the medieval Rebab and modern Surshringar.

However, there are speculations among the Sarode community, notably from maestro Ali Akbar Khan, that a similar instrument might have existed almost two thousand years ago in ancient India. They refer to instruments which resemble the Sarode found in carvings of the 1st century in the Champa temple, as well as in paintings in the Ajanta Caves.

The Sarode in its present recognizable form dates back to c.1820, when it started gaining recognition as a serious instrument in Rewa, Shahjahanpur, Gwalior and Lucknow. In the twentieth century, the Sarode received some finishing touches from Allauddin Khan, the performer-pedagogue from Maihar best known as Ravi Shankar's and Ali Akbar Khan's guru.

If you want to become part of this great musical tradition and learn how to play the Sarodde, begin with us. Learn how to play Sarode with online class lessons conducted on skype by GAALC.

How to Play Sarode:

The modern classical Sarode is about 100 cm (39 inches) long and has a slightly waisted wood body with a skin belly. The broad neck has a wide fret less fingerboard covered in metal to accommodate characteristic sliding pitches. The modern version has four to six main melodic strings, plus two to four others; some of the strings may be paired in double courses tuned in unison or at the octave. In addition, there are sympathetic and drone strings. The seated player holds the instrument across his lap. The strings of the Sarode are plucked with a plectrum held in the right hand, while the fingernails of the left hand press the strings.

The playing strings of the Sarode are struck or plucked with a pick made of coconut shell while the instrument is placed on the lap, sitting cross-legged. This special kind of pick and the striking technique that is used, make a wide range of differentiated rhythmic striking variations possible. The strings are not pressed onto the fingerboard with the fingertips like in violin playing for example, but with the tip of the fingernail. In this way the typical metallic echoing sound of the Sarode is produced. This is intensified by a continuous gliding of the fingernail along the string on the fret less fingerboard. Thus the ornaments and micro-intervals are produced that are so typical and essential in Indian music.

GAALC offers you to online Sarode training lesson on “Skype” conducted by Indian Sarode Guru or teachers. (http://sarodlessonsonline.com/Learn-how-to-play-Sarod-classes-online-India.html)

How to tune Sarode :

The Sarode has numerous strings (http://sarodlessonsonline.com/) amongst them there are four strings used for playing the melody, two drone strings and two chikari strings. The lowest string is made from bronze and creates a deep, powerful sound, “full of passion”. In short sarod comprises some drone strings some played, and some sympathetic strings. It is played with a peak made of coconut shell. Basically sarode is tuned on C or B flat Scale. Use “Taanpura' For a reference scale. Ma Sa Pa Sa (four right side's key) are tuned on four right side keys. And in left side first four are tuned in Ni Re Ga ``SA. Chikaris are tuned on upper octaves Sa. And tarafs are tuned on major scale if you play major notes only. Online Sarode learning class lessons offered by GAALC India are one-on-one, live, real time, interactive learning program on “Skype” or Google hangouts”.