The sarangi is a bowed instrument carved from a single block, with no frets at all. The strings are stopped with the fingernails and cuticles rather than the fingertips, and beneath them run dozens of sympathetic strings that ring in response. It is the hardest instrument in this catalogue and the one that sounds closest to the human voice.
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Should a beginner buy one? Only with a teacher, and we will say that plainly rather than sell you one. Sarangi does not reward self teaching from videos, and the setup and tuning alone need guidance. If you want a bowed instrument you can make progress on alone, buy a dilruba instead.
What to expect. Sarangis arrive strung and checked, but expect to spend real time with the sympathetic strings before the instrument sounds its best. That is normal and it is part of owning one.
$579 to $1,039. Prices include free shipping to the USA, UK, Germany, Australia and many more countries.
The hardest instrument in this catalogue, and the one that sounds most like the human voice.
No frets at all. The strings are stopped with the fingernails and cuticles rather than the fingertips, which is exactly as demanding as it sounds, and beneath them run dozens of sympathetic strings that ring in response. When it is played well nothing else in Indian music comes as close to singing.
Should a beginner buy one? Only with a teacher. We will say that plainly rather than sell you one. Sarangi is not an instrument that rewards self-teaching from videos, and the setup and tuning alone need guidance. If you want a bowed instrument you can make progress on alone, buy a dilruba.
Who makes ours. Pritam Singh's sarangis are the ones we carry, including the totta model.
Setup. Sarangis arrive strung and checked, but expect to spend real time with the sympathetic strings before the instrument sounds its best. That is normal and it is part of owning one.
Questions we get asked
Can a beginner learn sarangi?
Only with a teacher, and we would rather say that than sell you one. Setup and tuning alone need guidance, and it does not reward self teaching from videos.
Why is it so difficult?
No frets at all, and the strings are stopped with the fingernails and cuticles rather than the fingertips. Everything about the technique is unusual.
What arrives with it?
Strung, checked and tuned before dispatch. Expect to spend real time with the sympathetic strings before the instrument sounds its best. That is normal.