| Name |
Description |
Image
[Click on image] |
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| Tabla |
The Tabla is the most important percussion
instrument today and is the king among percussion instruments.
A tabla set consists of two separate drums, the Bayan
(left drum base note) and the Dayan
(right drum). The Dayan is also called the
Tabla. Both have a body, which is closed at the bottom,
and both have a skin made of goat and cow leather, which
is covered with a second skin around the rim. In the
middle of the skin there is a black spot that is called
the Gab. This part consists of a special
black paste (made of rice flour and iron filings) which
is applied in several layers. This black circle gives
the instrument, amongst other important parts, its specific
sound...
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to view |
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| Dholak
and other Bollywood instruments |
Dholak is a side drum, cylindrical in
shape, bored out of solid wood. Its pitch is variable
and is an essential accompaniment for the folk music
of North India. Dholak uses leather skins on a sheesham
or neem wood shell. |
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to view |
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| Bengali
instruments |
There are many types of instruments
in Bengal to name a few:
Bengal Khol are clay-shells of cylindrical
type, laced all around the body by leather straps. The
head parchment is pasted with a heavy vellum of iron
fillings.
Bangla Dhol is a fine wooden instrument
from Bangladesh.
Dhak is used in major Sakta or Saiva
religious ceremonies even today. |
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to view |
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| Harmonium
|
The British introduced harmoniums
to India during the colonial period. They were quickly
adopted by the India cultures. Harmoniums are in the
family of free-reed aerophones. Harmoniums resemble
small, tabletop size organs. Each harmonium has bellows
at the back that are pumped by one hand while the other
hand plays the keyboard. The most common playing position
is to place the harmonium on the floor and sit, cross-legged,
in front of it. You can play the keys with your dominant
hand while your other hand works the bellows, but most
often the right hand plays the keys. You can also place
the harmonium on a table and sit in a chair while you
play. |
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to view |
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| Sitar
and Tanpura |
The sitar is a long
necked lute with 20 curved metal frets. It is plucked
by the index finger of the left hand fitted with a plectrum
made of wire. Sitars generally have six or seven main
playing strings which run above the frets, and an additional
12 or more sympathetic strings, which give the instrument
a shimmering echo when played. The bridge of the sitar,
which is rectangular, gives the instrument its characteristic
sound. You can get different styles for example Vilayat
Khan style or Ravi Shankar
style sitars. |
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to view |
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| More
Indian string instruments |
The Indian Santoor
is the oldest known string instrument of India. While
it had originally been part of the classical music culture
in Persia, the santoor was a highland folk instrument
in India. The Indian Santoor is a flat shaped instrument
in the form of a trapezoid. Two light wooden hammers
are included to play along the metal strings providing
an exotic sound. Especially made for Guru Soundz. |
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to view |
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| Dancing
bells |
Indian classical dances are performed
with a special kind of bells set on a belt, tied on
the dancer's ankles. They are generally set on a velvet
fabric to give that rich look. The bells are very densely
set and produce a mesmerizing rhythm with each movement
of the dancer's feet. Accompanied with the rhythm of
the Tabla, the Indian drum, the charm of the Ghunghroo
is further enhanced. |
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to view |
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| Percussion
|
Indian percussion consists of both
western and eastern influences. There are maracus,
shakers, tambourines,
manjira, and many more used in the
Bollywood industries. These percussion instruments are
very much in demand. |
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to view |
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| Woodwind
instruments |
The Bansuri (bans
[bamboo] + swar [musical note]) is a transverse alto
flute made of a single length of bamboo and has six
or seven open finger holes.
Shehnai is a double reeded wind instrument
with a widening tube towards the lower end. There are
eight or nine holes, the upper seven for playing, the
lower ones for tuning. |
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to view |
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| South
Indian instruments |
Ghatam, Mridangam,
Veena etc. all originated from south
Indian. More well know for carnatic music, the ghatam
is a percussion instrument: an earthenware pot played
in south indian classical music. |
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to view |
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| Bhangra
Dhol |
The indian culture is very much based
on Bhangra dhol these days. Bhangra
dhol originated in the Punjab. Guru Soundz specialises
in good quality dhols. Bhangra dhols are played with
two sticks and very popular with UK asian teenagers. |
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to view |
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| Electronic
instruments |
These are high-quality, digitally sampled
sounds that have been programmed into devices to help
students or artists learn and perform well. There are
many different types of Indian electronic instruments:
Raagini Pro, electronic tanpura,
Riaaz Master electronic tabla...
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to view |
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| Guitars
and violins |
The guitar and violin are used in a wide variety of
musical styles, and are also widely known as a solo classical
instruments. Guru Soundz guitars are available in a variety
of different colours. |
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| Indian
instrument CDs |
This page has all the Indian instrumental maestros in
the Indian classical world from Ustad Zakir Hussain to
many more living legends. |
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| Indian
vocal CDs |
This page has all the vocal maestros in the Indian classical
world. Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, Ustad Rashid Khan and
many more living legends. |
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| Religious
and wedding songs |
This page has all the religious and wedding songs from
the Indian sub-continent. Bhajans, Shabads, traditional
punjabi wedding songs etc.
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| Books
and CD ROMs |
Teach yourself music books are available
in Guru Soundz. How to play sitar, harmonium, tabla,
etc. CD ROMs featuring music maestros are also available.
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to view |
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| Video,
DVDs and VCDs |
A selection of exclusive videos,
DVDs and VCDs. This page has all the Indian vocal and
instrumental maestros in the Indian classical world.
Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, Ustad Rashid Khan, Ustad Zakir
Hussain and many more living legends.
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Click
to view |
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| Yoga
DVDs and books |
A selection of exclusive DVDs and books related to Yoga. |
Click
to view |
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| Exclusive
Products |
Hiren Roy & Sons are the most
respected sitar making family in India. Great musicians
such as Nikhil Banerjee and Ravi Shankar always played
a Hiren Roy. We have always had a special relationship
with this family and we are authorised
dealers for the UK, Europe and the USA.
Hiren Roy & Sons were also master instrument-makers
to Ali Akbar Khan, the sarod maestro, and are still
the best at making sarods to date.
Paul & Co. are India's no. 1 harmonium
manufacturer and we are authorised
dealers for the UK, Europe and the USA.
To see pictures of our craftsmen working in India click
here. |
Click
to view |
