Definition: A sitar is a plucked string instrument common to Classical Indian music, particularly in the Hindustani (northern Indian) classical traditions.
Mechanically, the sitar is a fairly complicated musical instrument. It bears sympathetic strings (strings which are tuned, but not plucked - they simply vibrate and hum when the strings nearby are played), as well as movable frets. and over 20 strings! The sitar is tuned to a classical raga, or scale, and is played with a pick called a mezrab.
The sitar gained popularity in the western world when Beatle George Harrison learned to play from master Ravi Shankar and incorporated the instrument into several Beatles songs.
Mechanically, the sitar is a fairly complicated musical instrument. It bears sympathetic strings (strings which are tuned, but not plucked - they simply vibrate and hum when the strings nearby are played), as well as movable frets. and over 20 strings! The sitar is tuned to a classical raga, or scale, and is played with a pick called a mezrab.
The sitar gained popularity in the western world when Beatle George Harrison learned to play from master Ravi Shankar and incorporated the instrument into several Beatles songs.
Pronunciation: SIT-ahr