Sitar Hand Technique

Video Transcript

"The left hand is kind of hanging; again, you need to have plenty of room between the instrument and this curve of your thumb and fingers. And your first two fingers rest on the frets so you will be playing: Second finger is when you turn or end a phrase. So you’re pressing with your index finger and thumb. You will need to develop a callous in your first and second finger. Until then you will experience quite a bit of pain which can be slightly relieved by lubricating your fingers with coconut oil that you have in a little container here with either a piece of cotton or some foam. On your right index finger you wear a plectrum called a Mizrab. It’s hard wire, you can buy these and it should fit tightly over the first joint of your index finger with the knot on top and bottom. This is your pick. You don’t hold a pick to play Sitar you make your finger your pick. "