How to Play the Sitar

Presented by Amelia Maciszewski

Learn how to play the sitar, as well as some of the history and culture behind it in these free online music lessons, including sitar playing techniques, how to hold this string musical instrument and a performance demonstration.

Series Summary

The Sitar is most well know to the Western World as the instrument of India. Although it is believed that the Sitar has existed in its current form since the 1700’s its popularity among the West is a very recent phenomenon. Musicians such as George Harrison of the Beatles and Ravi Shankar helped popularize the instrument during the late 60’s and early 70’s. With its beautiful Eastern melodies, the Sitar became an easily recognizable instrument in Western Popular culture.

Although the majority of its melodies are played on only a few strings, the Sitar is a very complicated instrument to learn. For instance, did you know that in Indian culture, there are certain melodies that are only meant to be played during certain times of the day? In these videos you will not only learn how to play the Sitar, but you will also learn about the culture and the history surrounding this instrument.

Listing 1-21 of 21 videos

Parts of a Sitar

Learn the different parts that make up a sitar in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Sitar Performance Demonstration

Watch a demonstration of a sitar performance of Hindustani music using multiple playing techniques in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

How to Tune a Sitar

Learn how to tune a sitar in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Sitar String Names

Learn the names of the different strings on a sitar in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Honoring Sitar Teachers

Learn about sitar teachers, and some of the cultural aspects surrounding them in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Women & the History of the Sitar

Learn what role women played in the history of the sitar and Hindustani music in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

History of the Sitar

Learn the rich history of the sitar & its place in Indian music in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Sitar Playing Posture

Learn the correct posture to use when you are playing sitar in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Sitar Note Names

Learn the names of the different notes in Hindustani music in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Sitar Hand Technique

Learn the proper hand position and technique for playing sitar in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Evening Raga for Sitar

Learn how to play a sitar raga for the evening in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Types of Ragas for Sitar

Learn about the different types of sitar ragas, or songs in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Using Tanpuras for Accompaniment

Learn about tanpuras, the droning instruments used to accompany sitar players in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Sitar Major Scale

Learn how to play a major scale on the sitar in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Morning Raga for Sitar

Learn a sitar raga that you would play in the morning in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

Night Raga for Sitar

Learn a sitar raga that you would play at night in this free online music lesson on how to play the sitar.

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