I have played about 7 years and studied with a teacher but lately I have read here and one other place that the mizrab should be placed "over" the 1st joint. I have always placed it right before the joint and have caloused a "groove" for it to fit. Do people really use such a large mizrab and slip it over the joint? Wouldn't it twist side to side this way?
Hello;
Good question. I've also heard the mizrab should be placed over the first joint, as recommended by the owner and host of Buckingham music you see bannered on this site. But just like you, I fit it about one millimeter in front of the joint and it works just fine. I've been playing off and on for nearly 30 years, and I've never seen anyone put it right on the joint! So, I think do what works best for you.
I used a rather large mizrab and fit it over the joint as that seems to feel best for me. I tend to keep the end more towards the left of my finger as that's what a lot of the good players (which I am not!) do. If anyone has the CD by Manilal Nag "Live in Woodstock" they show pictures of his finger fairly close and that's what he does. It seems to work just fine with minimal slipping. . . . also I put a little oil on the tip to help with the 'diri' as well. . . . .
