My Music Diary

  🌟 Essential Sitar Terminologies for Beginners For detailed instructions please refer Ramprapanna Bhattacharya's YouTube Playlist: Sitar Learning Essentials:  Sitar Learning Essentials by Ramprapanna Bhattacharya - YouTube 🎶 1. Bol (बोल) Syllables or plucking patterns played with mizrab on the strings such as Da, Ra, Dir, Dara, Der , etc. They define rhythmic and melodic articulation. 🎶 2. Sapat / Sapat Taans (सपाट) Straight, linear movement of notes in ascending or descending order. Usually even-paced, clean runs. 🎶 3. Palta (पलटा) A structured pattern or exercise based on a specific sequence of notes, often repeated with variations to build technique. 🎶 4. Meend (मींड) A glide or smooth slide between notes using left-hand pull. One of the signature ornaments of sitar. 🎶 5. Gamak (गमक) A strong, oscillating, forceful shake of notes. It adds intensity and weight to musical phrases. 🎶 6. Jhala (झाला) Fast rhythmic playing using Chikari strokes (mainly on...

Essential Parts of the Sitar (Beginner-Friendly) 1. Tumba (तुम्बा) The large resonating gourd at the bottom that amplifies sound. 2. Tabli (ताबली) The soundboard (front wooden plate) where the bridge sits. 3. Jawāri / Jawāri Bridge (जावरी) The main bridge that gives the sitar its buzzing tone. 4. Chota Jawāri (छोटा जावरी) The small bridge for sympathetic strings. 5. Baj Tāar (बज तार) The main playing string (usually the 1st string). 6. Chikari Strings (चिकारी) The rhythmic drone strings used for jhala and keeping laya. 7. Taraf / Tarafdar (तरफ़ / तरफ़दार) The sympathetic strings underneath the frets, which resonate automatically to enrich the sound. 8. Parda (पर्दा) The movable metal frets used to produce different notes. 9. Daand / Dand (डांड) The long wooden neck of the sitar where frets and strings run. 10. Gulu (गुलु) The curve/joint connecting the neck to the tumba . 11. Kunti / Pegs (कुँटी) The tuning pegs used to tune the main ...

 Sitar Tuning Guide (Upper Strings) - Ramprapanna Bhattacharya Taraf / Sympathetic Tuning Guide

 Expectations from Tabla Accompaniment during Concert / Riyaz Session 1.        Tonal Modulation: Maintaining low and medium volume (as applicable) and not playing loudly during melodic expressions and delicate works on Sitar. Low volume of Sitar for Tabla solo pieces 2.        Maintain continuous and stable theka: Not picking up Tabla solo pieces in any time without indication from Sitarist 3.        Mostly Keeping “Sidha Theka” during accompaniment, not merging with Sitarist’s improvisations 4.        In Jhala (crescendo) – maintaining stable tempo and not increasing tempo of own, without indication from Sitarist. Whenever laya (tempo) is to be increased, clear indication will come from Sitarist. 5.        Sound system should be adjusted in such a way, balance between Tabla and Sitar should be proper, both in monitor and speakers for ...

 Namashkar and Greetings   A friendly advise to all my sitarist friends and students to keep all the following materials handy and also to know certain basic tasks for basic maintenance of instruments. I learn all these from my father Sri Ram Udar Bhattacharya - my first and prime guru.  Also you need to be in touch with some expert sitar mechanic who is experienced in advanced repair and tuning (jawari) work for  Sitar. Drop a note to ramprapanna.sitar@gmail.com for any further advise and guidance. 1. Mizrabs / Wire Plectrums Essential for every sitarist, available in various types and sizes from very small to quite large 2. Strings Complete string sets for various styles, single strings and string coils   3. Fret Silk Threads Synthetic fret silk for binding frets 4. Mankas / Fine Tuners Swan-shaped or oval, a great help for precise tuning of the playing strings 5. Narkas / Tuning Aids Narkas give good control over the small and narrow sympathetic pegs 6. Cases...

Payment Options *For Payment within India:* Bank account: Ramprapanna Bhattacharya Name: Ramprapanna Bhattacharya Account Number: 064312010001304 IFSC Code: UBIN0806439 Bank: Union Bank UPI ID:  SitarSurbahar@axl Google Pay  / Phone Pay:  +91 814 280 3372 *Fee is to be paid before attending the session. ** 50% advance amount is to be paid for concert booking. ................................................................... *For International Transfer:* Paypal: ram_sitar@yahoo.com  (Option: Send to bank account) ......................................

🎶 ONLINE SITAR SESSIONS 🪔 Things to Be Ready With 🪕 Sitar – Properly tuned (if trained) and in good playing condition before the session begins. 🎵 Mizrab (Plectrum) – Correctly fitted for comfort and control. 🌐 Stable Internet Connection – Strong and reliable for uninterrupted learning. 🎧 Headphones / 🔊 Speakers – Good quality audio setup to ensure clarity and avoid echo. 📷 Camera Setup Use landscape mode (not portrait) Ensure both hands and the full sitar are clearly visible Place the camera at face level (not on the floor) 📓 Notebook & ✏️ Pen/Pencil – For noting compositions, corrections, and key instructions. 🎼 Electronic Tuner / Tanpura App – For accurate pitch reference Android: Tanpura Droid Apple: iTablaPro 🥁 Tabla App – For rhythm and tala practice Android: Rhythm Premium Apple: iTablaPro 🔊 Bluetooth Speaker – For clear and sufficiently loud tabla and tanpura sound. 🧘 Comfortable Seating & Posture – S...

Tech Rider: Sound System: Minimum t wo tops and  minimum two monitors  with separate auxiliaries.  For sitar line out Pickup mic / Contact Mic (mono/stereo). with separate auxiliaries. Another SM-58 / SM-57  for Sitar .  Three Small Microphone Stands to which the microphones will be attached. Phantom Power Supply for Condenser Microphones / Adapter Microphones. For Tabla SM-58 with short boom stand and separate auxiliaries. One hand mic for introductory speech or vocal demonstration.  Power extension on stage for plugging in electronic tanpura / power input for video recorder. The line out from all of the above should eventually connect to the main speakers as well as monitors. Stage Arrangement: Musicians on stage: 1. Sitarist 2. Tabla Player 3. Tanpura Player (optional) On the stage, raisers are to be provided as mentioned below: One raiser approx 10'X10' OR 12'x12' that can accommodate three musicians along with their in...

T&C and Agreements for Private / Corporate Event: 1. Details of Host and Event Organizer: Names and contact details of the event organizer or promoter: - event organizer or promoter Company name:  - event organizer or promoter Address:  - event organizer or promoter GST No -  - event organizer or promoter PAN No -  - event organizer or promoter State Code -  - event organizer or promoter Organizer SAC Code -  2. Event Details Name of the event. Date, time, and duration of the performance: Venue location. Expected duration of performance in time (e.g., number of sets, breaks). Load-in and soundcheck schedule. ( Artists will be present at venue max. 30 min before the start time of their music performance for sound check. ) 3. Compensation & Payment Terms Agreed performance fee will be discussed and agreed over phone followed by written confirmation. Payment schedule (deposit, installments, final payment).: minimum 30% of total pay to the artist sho...