Sitar Basics

The sitar is a plucked string instrument that evolved in its modern form during medieval India and spread through the subcontinent. There are a few things you might need to know while getting started.

Strings and Frets

The Sitar can have up to 20 strings (5-7 main strings and the rest sympathetic strings). It has around 20 movable frets.

Playing Position

The most common playing position is sitting on the ground with the pumpkin sound box resting on the foot of the musician. The instrument is held in such a way that the neck runs diagonally upwards in front of the player's body

Mizrab

Is the metal pick used to pluck the strings of the Sitar. It is worn on the index finger of the plucking hand

Tuning

The 1st main string is tuned to the F (Ma in Indian scale). Detailed tuning of the strings is here How to Tune a Sitar