The sarod is a fretless plucked instrument with a polished steel fingerboard, and one of the deepest sounds in Indian classical music. Notes are stopped with the fingernail against metal, which is what produces the long glissando between pitches that defines the instrument. Where the sitar shimmers, the sarod growls and slides.
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Sarod or sitar? Not interchangeable, and not a question of level. The sarod is harder to play in tune, because there are no frets to find the note for you, and easier to play expressively once you can. If you love the slow slide between notes more than the shimmer, this is your instrument.
It is plucked with a coconut shell plectrum, not a wire mizrab.
What to expect on arrival. Sarods are heavy for their size and need careful setup. Every instrument is tuned and checked on the day it ships, and we will talk you through the first tuning on WhatsApp if you are new to it.
Related instruments: the surbahar if you want depth within the sitar family, and Hemen and Co if you are looking for the workshop most associated with the instrument.
$1,279 to $3,599. Prices include free shipping to the USA, UK, Germany, Australia and many more countries.
Fretless, metal-fingerboarded, and one of the deepest sounds in Indian classical music.
Where the sitar shimmers, the sarod growls and slides. The steel fingerboard means notes are stopped with the nail against metal, giving the glissando that defines the instrument, and the absence of frets means intonation is entirely your responsibility.
Sarod or sitar? Not interchangeable and not a matter of level. The sarod is harder to play in tune and easier to play expressively once you are. If you love the slow slides between notes more than the shimmer, this is your instrument.
What to expect on arrival. Sarods are heavy for their size and need careful setup. Every one we ship is checked before dispatch, and we will talk you through the first tuning on WhatsApp if you are new to it.
Related: the surbahar if you want depth in the sitar family, and Strings for the full range.
Questions we get asked
Sarod or sitar?
Not a question of level. The sarod is fretless so intonation is on you, and it slides and growls where the sitar shimmers. Choose the sound you love.
What plectrum does it use?
A coconut shell plectrum, not the wire mizrab a sitar uses. One is supplied with the instrument.
Is it hard for a beginner?
Harder than sitar to play in tune, because there are no frets to find the note for you. Easier to play expressively once you can.