How to Learn to Play the Sitar

Known for its beautiful synthesis of acoustic and metallic sounds, the sitar has been part of music and culture of the Indian subcontinent for hundreds of years. Western bands like The Beatles have also popularized the instrument's sound. Follow these steps to play this Indian instrument.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Learn about the instrument and its history. While the sitar might look like a guitar, it has very significant differences. You should learn about the operations of the movable curved frets and the numbering of strings, some of which are not used for playing, before you attempt to play the sitar.
2. Listen to sitar music. Hearing the sounds of the sitar played played by masters such as Roop Verma will give you a sense of the instrument's sounds, its musical range and capabilities. Spend time with a sitar CD.
3. Find a sitar to play. Most music supply stores carry sitars or can easily order one. While buying a sitar will give you a sense of commitment and closeness to the instrument, renting might also be a good way to learn to play sitar without laying out lots of money.
4. Use books and other media. "How to Play Sitar" is an excellent primer book which will teach you the basics of playing sitar. Use the book along with sitar videos to get a simple introduction to playing the sitar.
5. Find a teacher. At some point, an experienced teacher is the only way to gain a complete understanding of how to correctly play the sitar. Ask music shops or refer to the Keshav Music Imports list of Indian music teachers to find a teacher in your area.