I took a couple sitar lessons from Paul Livingston, ex-of Cal Arts. He was a former student of Ravi Shankar's.
I doubt most western musicians have the discipline or the patience for
learning East Indian music. The time structures are so alien to 4/4 to
the bar.
I'm sure someone could adjust the frets for better tuning/intonation...
...but that person isn't me. And I don't think they live close, either.
I tune it, but I must assume any whackedout intonation issues are inherent in the music. If you know of a good Sitar repair shop in Arkansas, let me know.![]()
I doubt most western musicians have the discipline or the patience for
learning East Indian music. The time structures are so alien to 4/4 to
the bar.
Keep in mind, on the sitar the only string you regularly fret is the highest, the one in the middle of the neck. The others are almost always played open only.
Adjusting the intonation on that should be pretty easy since the frets are movable, but the Indians do hear certain intervals differently than we do.
I saw Ravi and daughter Anoushka several years ago. I've seen Anoushka twice now...she's amazing. I think she may have surpassed her dad with those chops. Blindingly fast...and accurate.
Anoushka is wonderful, a really great musician - so masterful in her Dad's tradition, educated in Western music and open to anything. She's still so young, I think we have many decades of really interesting work to look forward to from her.
Keep in mind, on the sitar the only string you regularly fret is the highest, the one in the middle of the neck. The others are almost always played open only.
Adjusting the intonation on that should be pretty easy since the frets are movable, but the Indians do hear certain intervals differently than we do.
I've had off and on GAS pains. My instrument is the Epiphone of the sitar world. Good enough and probably more instrument than I need. But I can dare to dream....
You can get world class concert instruments for $2000, which isn't bad.