The santoor is a hammered dulcimer from Kashmir. Around a hundred strings stretched over bridges, struck with two light mallets rather than plucked or bowed. It is the most immediately approachable instrument in this catalogue, because you can produce a beautiful sound on your first attempt.
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Is it good for a beginner? Unusually, yes. There is no intonation to get wrong, since the strings are tuned in advance, and no embouchure or bowing technique standing between you and a note. What takes time is control, damping, and the speed the repertoire eventually asks for.
Tuning is the real task. Many bridges, many strings and a tuning key. Set aside time, and expect to tune in sections rather than all at once. Most owners do.
$929 to $1,755. Prices include free shipping to the USA, UK, Germany, Australia and many more countries.
A hundred strings, two light mallets, and the sound of Kashmir.
The santoor is struck rather than plucked or bowed, which makes it the most immediately approachable instrument in this collection: you can produce a beautiful sound on your first attempt. What takes time is control, damping and the speed that the repertoire eventually asks for.
Is it good for beginners? Unusually, yes. There is no intonation to get wrong, because the strings are tuned in advance, and no embouchure or bowing technique standing between you and a note. Tuning the instrument, on the other hand, is a genuine task and takes a while to learn.
Tuning. Many bridges, many strings, and a tuning key. Set aside time. Most owners tune in sections rather than all at once.
Questions we get asked
Is it good for beginners?
Unusually, yes. The strings are tuned in advance so there is no intonation to get wrong, and you can make a beautiful sound on your first attempt.
How long does tuning take?
Longer than you expect. Many bridges, many strings and a tuning key. Most owners tune in sections rather than all at once.
What is it played with?
Two light wooden mallets, struck rather than plucked or bowed. They are supplied with the instrument.