Hello all . . . . . been wondering for all these years about a certain technique where the player strikes a "Sa" taraf wire at the same time a note is played (usually very hard) on the main string. Never read anything on how this is done, and can't catch it in the videos I have.
Is it done with the little finger, or is it a RA stroke??
Hi Lars;
I use that frequently. Its called a "thonk jhalla" (check your Clem Alford book, he mentions it). Its a Ra stroke. Instead of striking Ra at a normal 20 or 30 degree angle Ra,the thonk is done by tilting your hand over where you almost hit the string vertically, almost straight down. You pluck the string hard enough where your stroke carries through and the mizrab also hits the last three tarbs. Its called "thonk" because the mizrab hits the wood too most of the time. Its not a difficult stroke, but it does take some practice to get a good "hit".
I saw this in Clem's book too. He recommends pracrising it from your very first da and ra exercises. But I was never brave enough 'cause it sounded like it would damage the wood over time. Does it leave a mark at the point where you continually 'thonk'?
Hey Jerry;
Your hands should be directly over the white board (bone or plastic piece) just behind the high fret when you play. So, when you strike down, the mizrab hits that white board. Its pretty tough. I've been doing this for years, and I don't see any damage there. But remember, the point is not to hit it too hard. The best hit is when your mizrab makes just a little "tap" on the board, not a whammo!
Hey Russ . . . . . been playing with that a little but find it better/easier to use my little finger!! That's kind of what I've been doing anyway all this time . . . . . .
OK, whatever works. . So, you hit the main string and tarb at the same time, using two different fingers or how? Your fingers sound more flexible than mine!
Yea Russ . . . . . use my little finger at the same time as a DA stroke. That's kind of what I've been doing for that effect but never did it much as I was'nt sure how it was supposed to be done properly but I'll practice the other way too. I've played piano for 30+ years so the fingers are pretty flexible, wish I could say the same for the rest of me though
