Hi guys
i want to ask you if anyone know about tunning a guitar like tampura or somthing like that i just want to play the sitar and my friend will play guitar and wont do chords just play in the background
i hope that you understand what i mean
like open tunning to the guitar like the sitar tunning
if my sitar tuninng on D so the guitar will be on D
thank you all
its just that i dont come along with play with guitar chords background
thanks all
peace
Hi Sun
For your guitar to play a tanpura-like drone with your sitar tuned in D you have a couple of choices. A pure drone that will work regardless of the scale the sitar is playing will avoid the 3rd.
So tune: DADAAD (watch the G string tuned to A - if it looks like breaking tune it down to a D). Or you can add the 3rd so that your guitarists G string will be tuned to F if you're playing a minor scale (like Kafi) or F# if you're playing a major scale (like Bilaval).
Both these will work well as drones, and your guitarist may even stay awake past 3 minutes playing it!
Good luck and let us know how you do.
Jerry
Thanks alot
i tuned my guitar and its sound ok
i hope that my friend will stay awake too
its not fun to play like that for along time
but its help me to play and it sound better
all the best
bye bye
peace
Hey Sun,
Here's another tuning that is quite common for open tunings: DADGAD, it's a bit sweeter than DADAAD as it is truly open D modal. You are tuning all strings that are being changed from EADGBD (standard) down a full step. The only string that will be a bit loose is the B string which, if I am going to play a lot in DADGAD I use a wound 20 gauge which creates the tension rounds out the sound. Both tunings should work but if you want the more true sitar/tanpura sound you might just emulate the exact tuning of a six stringed Tanpura, although this will mean some serious effort in developing the string gauges. DADAAD is a great compromise, DADGAD adds the Pa of the SWARGAM scale which is used in many Raags when setting up your tanpura. . . enjoy. . . ken
Hi Ken
Am I missing something here? The G in DADGAD surely adds the 4th, or the Ma. A is the 5th (Pa). Some tanpura tunings do use Ma rather than Pa I know, so of course DADGAD would work, but I think DADAAD, using only the tonic and 5th (Sa & Pa) is better. Or have I misunderstood?
All the best
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
Nice to hear from you again. No you didn't miss anything. I keep thinking in C for SWARGAM and thus used the 5th of C instead of D, sorry, thanks for catching it. Your right DADAAD is better suited for the "Raga" sound. Thanks again. . .ken
KenO
