Three other questions if you please. What gauge strings do you have on YOUR esraj; the four mains and Pa, Sa (nearest the sympathetic strings) Sa and Ma (played string)? Also the gauge of your sympathetic strings. And I also have the trepidation that my string tension is putting too much pressure on my bridge and skin.

When I try to copy the first tuning video I can tune all four main strings, but when I start tuning the first sympathetic strings it feels WAY too tight and I feel the strings might break.

Peace & many thanks,

Lew

Many thanks. I see your esraj DOES have tuners for the sympathetic strings. Could you suggest where I would purchase these types of tuners. I’m just thinking it might be much easier to put in some work to have tuner’s rather than tuning pegs.

Also, I have a tanpura loop, in C Sa-Ma-Sa. Is there a way to get a recording of the tanpura that is used in the video demonstration of tuning in D#? Then I could just follow the tuning on the video.

Thanks again,

Lew

String Size: – There’s no “correct” size . The manufacturing of Indian Musical Instruments is done by small family-run workshops. Each manufacturer will have their own specifications.
In fact I’ve even seen 3 instruments by the SAME manufacturer with totally different specifications.

My opinion is: Unless someone sets up a huge factory to produce these instruments, builds them to 1 specification, and takes over the market completely – I don’t think there ever will be total standardization in Indian Instruments.

Tanpura reference files – have been provided above.

Tuning Reference for each note: I see you signed up for the more detailed tuning reference … there is a good quality recording on there which should help a lot.

Sanding wooden tuning pegs – I’ve never done this before, and nobody I know has mentioned doing it – so I can’t give you a good answer.

Modifications to the sympathetic board: I’ve sent you photos of my Esraj for your reference.

Teachers in California: Have you looked up the Ali Akbar Khan College of music ?

I’m brand new to the esraj and these online instructions. My primary questions are: What are the correct size strings for the main four: One chart has the string sizes (facing the esraj from left to right) Pa Bronze (.002), Sa Bronze (.025), Sa (C#) Bronze (.016), and ma (.012); another has (same scenario): Pa Steel (.026), Sa Steel (.009), Sa (C#) Steel (.019) and Ma Steel (.013). Is it preference? I don’t have an electric tambura or reference CD for tuning so I’ve been using a chromatic tuner.

Also, My esraj’s sympathetic string pegs look very rough, should I sand them to make them fit better? Is there a way to build a sympathetic board with regular tuners? Diagrams? I hope that’s not taboo!

I live in Ventura, CA. and am learning alone and so any referrals about any teachers nearby would be greatly appreciated. I’m thinking it may take a while to just basically get my instrument set up to play well.

Many many thanks

If you’re buying a new esraj – make sure there’s a small second layer of skin that runs across the soundbox and under the bridge for reinforcement

Bow:
* yes, a better bow will make a difference in the sound – it wont be as scratchy.
* you can get a medium quality Cello bow from any music shop which sells string instruments. – there’s no need to get an expensive one.
* real hair, will surely sound better than nylon/plastic.
* all bows will be different , so you can choose something you like .. long or short , heavy or light.

Rosin / Cellophane:
* mine collects on the string too – I think it’s normal.
* about once in 2 months, I use dry tissue paper to clean the string (only the section which comes into contact with the bow) by scraping the rosin off.

When I play, there a lot of scratchy sound when I change of speed or orientation… (I did not touch to hair with my finger !)
Does a real bow make thing sound better ?

How do I know If cellophane is a good one… mine seem to stay on the string (I don’t know if it’s normal)

Again,
thank you for your help !

Now I’m tuned…. wow I’m not good at all! I’ll need to follow your lesson.

So I found what is the frequency of the files you’ve sent:

A#: 231 Hz
C: 264 Hz
C#: 275 Hz
D: 295 Hz
D#: 312 Hz

So that mean, the middle C of your scale is C3 in table(264Hz)

General rule of thumb:
If you don’t tune the strings too tight – especially all the sympathetics …. and if you keep your instrument well insulated from drastic changes in temperature and humidity – you should be safe.

I have some reference files you can download to compare – I have edited the page above. Please keep them private.

These will give you reference for the Base key ( SA ) you are using ( choose any 1 ) but for the other notes, you have to compare from the video for now.

Thank you for the question.
I now know I must make a DETAILED tuning workshop for beginners and put it up quickly.