Sitar - History

Abul Hasan Yaminuddin Khusro (1253-1325 CE), better known as Amir Khusro Dehlavi, is one of the iconic figures in the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent. A Sufi mystic and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi, Amir Khusro (or Khusrau or Khusraw) was not only one of India's greatest poets, he is also credited with being the founder of both Hindustani classical musi ...

Including:

• Amir Khusro - Amir Khusro and the origins of the Sitar and the Tabla
• Amir Khusro - Works
• Amir Khusro - References used

Read more here: » Amir Khusro: Encyclopedia - Amir Khusro

The dominant hand is used to pluck the string using a metalic plectrum called the mezrab. Traditional approaches to learning the sitar involve a long period of apprenticeship under the tutelage of a master although nowadays it is possible to purchase books and videos to assist home learning. The sitar became popular in the West when The Beatles used it "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"; "Love You To"; and "Within You, Without You". Beatles guitarist, George Harrison, was inspired by — and later taught by — Ravi Shankar. Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones also helped popularise the sitar among Western musicians, most nota ...

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Sitar, Sitar - Etymology, Sitar - History, Sitar - Notable sitar players

Read more here: » Sitar: Encyclopedia II - Sitar - History

The lute is a plucked string instrument with a fretted neck and a deep round back. It evolved from an instrument originally developed in Persia (Iran) called the Barbat (http://www.barbat.us/aboutbarbat.htm), which was also the ancestor of the superficially similar oud. The words 'lute' and 'oud' are both derived from Arabic al‘ud, "the wood". The player of a lute is called a lutenist, and a maker of lutes (or guitars) is called a luthier. Lute - Description of the instrument. Lutes a ...

Including:

• Lute - Description of the instrument
• Lute - History and evolution of the lute
• Lute - The lute in the modern world
• Lute - The lute repertoire
• Lute - Tuning conventions
• Lute - Quotations

Read more here: » Lute: Encyclopedia - Lute

The Adil Shahi of Adilshahi were a dynasty of Indian sultans, who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur from 1490 to 1686. The Adil Shahis were originally provincial rulers of the Bahmani Sultanate, but with the breakup of the Bahmani state after 1518, Ismail Adil Shah established an independent sultanate, one of the five Deccan sultanates that were the successors to the Bahmani Sultanate. The Bijapur sultanate was located in southwestern India, straddling the Western Ghats range of southern Maharashtra and northern Karnataka. Ismail Adil Shah and his successors embellishe ...

Including:

• Adil Shahi - Historical overview
• Adil Shahi - Adil Shahi arts and heritage
• Adil Shahi - Adil Shahis of Bijapur

Read more here: » Adil Shahi: Encyclopedia - Adil Shahi

The 18th Century saw the beginning of a great decline of dhrupad singing. A new genre, khyal, gained popularity at dhrupad's expense. It placed fewer constraints on the singers and allowed for displays of virtuosity that were rare in dhrupad. In addition, the basically Hindu dhrupad was somewhat out of context in a Muslim setting; here, khyal offered something less devotional and more entertaining. Also, new instruments were being developed – the sitar and the sarod – that were not suited to the slow tempo and low register favoured by dhrupad, so that dhrup ...

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Dhrupad, Dhrupad - Recent History, Dhrupad - Styles of Dhrupad

Read more here: » Dhrupad: Encyclopedia II - Dhrupad - Recent History

These recordings mark a distinct change in Donovan's music, representing some of the first psychedelia released. A full rock band backs up Donovan on many of the songs, and the instrumentation has been expanded to include sitar and other unique musical instruments. This change is partially the result of working with producer Mickie Most, whose pop sensibilities led to chart hits for many other artists at the time. Donovan's lyrics began to encompass his increasing ability to portray "Swinging London" and give listeners an insider's lo ...

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Sunshine Superman album, Sunshine Superman album - History, Sunshine Superman album - Reissues, Sunshine Superman album - Track listing, Sunshine Superman album - Original album U.S., Sunshine Superman album - 1967 Pye Records version U.K., Sunshine Superman album - 1997 St. Clair Records version Lady of the Stars reissue, Sunshine Superman album - 2005 EMI version U.K.

Read more here: » Sunshine Superman album: Encyclopedia II - Sunshine Superman album - History

System of a Down uses a wide range of instruments, including baritone electric guitars, electric mandolins, sitars, 12-string classical guitars, and many other East Asian instruments. Their main influences are most noticeably from earlier alternative rock bands. They also draw influence from the heavy metal, punk rock, jazz, fusion, Armenian folk music, classic rock, blues, and industrial genres. In 1998, the band released their debut album, System of a Down. The album, like all the other since then, was produced in part by Ric ...

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System of a Down, System of a Down - History style and influences, System of a Down - Nu metal or not?, System of a Down - Members, System of a Down - Previous members, System of a Down - Discography, System of a Down - Albums, System of a Down - Singles, System of a Down - Singles Found In Video Game Soundtracks, System of a Down - Music videos

Read more here: » System of a Down: Encyclopedia II - System of a Down - History style and influences

Plucked chordophones were in use in Greece at the time of Alexander the Great; nevertheless, the European lute may be derived from the Barbat, an ancient instrument of Persian origin dating to 800 B.C and popular during Sassanian era in the sixth and seventh centuries. The Sassanian lute was called 'barbud' or 'barbad'. After the Tanbur, it is the oldest string instrument in Iran. The word "Bat" means chest in Persian, since the instrument has a pear-shaped body, hence a possible explanation of its name. Curt Sachs suggest that the origin of ...

See also:

Lute, Lute - Description of the instrument, Lute - History and evolution of the lute, Lute - The lute in the modern world, Lute - The lute repertoire, Lute - Tuning conventions, Lute - Quotations

Read more here: » Lute: Encyclopedia II - Lute - History and evolution of the lute

Lutes are made almost entirely of wood. The top (front of the instrument) is a thin flat slice of resonant wood as in a classical guitar, though a lute's top is oval or teardrop-shaped. In all but the oldest or most exotic lutes the top has a single 'hole' under the strings, called the rose; rare instruments may have several roses instead. The hole is not open as on a guitar, but rather covered with a grille in the form of a twining vine or knot, carved directly out of the wood of the top (see image at right). The back i ...

See also:

Lute, Lute - Description of the instrument, Lute - History and evolution of the lute, Lute - The lute in the modern world, Lute - The lute repertoire, Lute - Tuning conventions, Lute - Quotations

Read more here: » Lute: Encyclopedia II - Lute - Description of the instrument

Lutes are made almost entirely of wood. The soundboard is a thin flat plate of resonant wood (usually spruce), teardrop-shaped. In all lutes the soundboard has a single (sometimes triple) decorated soundhole under the strings, called the rose. The soundhole is not open, but rather covered with a grille in the form of a intertwining vine or a decorative knot, carved directly out of the wood of the soundboard. The back or the shell is assembled from thin strips of wood called ribs joined (with glue) edge to edge to form a ...

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Lute, Lute - Description of the instrument, Lute - History and evolution of the lute, Lute - The lute in the modern world, Lute - The lute repertoire, Lute - Tuning conventions, Lute - Quotations

Read more here: » Lute: Encyclopedia II - Lute - Description of the instrument

Outside of India, pure instrumental Indian classical music is more popular than vocal music, possibly because the lyrics are not understandable. A number of musical instruments are associated with Hindustani classical music. Some of the most famous instruments are the sitar, a string instrument, the tabla, a percussion instrument, and other instruments like the sarod and sarangi. The most famous modern performer is undoubtedly sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar, who helped popularize Hindustani ragas outside India. Alongside the sita ...

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Hindustani classical music, Hindustani classical music - History, Hindustani classical music - Instrumental music, Hindustani classical music - Vocal music, Hindustani classical music - Types of Compositions, Hindustani classical music - Principles of Hindustani music, Hindustani classical music - Other personalities

Read more here: » Hindustani classical music: Encyclopedia II - Hindustani classical music - Instrumental music

Continuing the tradition of jazz guitarists borrowing tones and techniques from their rock counterparts, Metheny has made considerable additions to the jazz guitar tone palette. Pat Metheny - Twelve-String Electric Guitar. Pat Martino had used the electric twelve-string guitar on a studio album, Desperado, and John McLaughlin had famously used a double-neck electric guitar as a sort of electric sitar, but Metheny was arguably the first significant user of the twelve-string electric in jazz. (Ralph T ...

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Pat Metheny, Pat Metheny - Pat Metheny Group, Pat Metheny - History, Pat Metheny - Side Projects, Pat Metheny - Guitar Innovations, Pat Metheny - Twelve-String Electric Guitar, Pat Metheny - Six-String Electric Guitar, Pat Metheny - Guitar/Synthesizer, Pat Metheny - 42-String Pikasso Guitar, Pat Metheny - Influences, Pat Metheny - Composition, Pat Metheny - Guitar, Pat Metheny - Discography

Read more here: » Pat Metheny: Encyclopedia II - Pat Metheny - Guitar Innovations

The lute enjoyed a revival with the awakening of interest in historical music during the early Twentieth Century, and that revival was further boosted by the early music movement of the second half of the Twentieth Century. Lute performances are not common, but it should be possible to find one or more per year in any medium to large city in regions imbued with the Western musical tradition. Lutes built at present are usually replicas or near copies of those [surviving historical instruments that are to be found in museums or private ...

See also:

Lute, Lute - Description of the instrument, Lute - History and evolution of the lute, Lute - The lute in the modern world, Lute - The lute repertoire, Lute - Tuning conventions, Lute - Quotations

Read more here: » Lute: Encyclopedia II - Lute - The lute in the modern world

Notable composers of lute music include Francesco Canova da Milano, John Dowland, John Johnson, Denis Gaultier, Johann Sebastian Bach, Sylvius Leopold Weiss, Philip Rosseter, Thomas Campion, Joseph Haydn, Johannes Hieronymus Kapsberger, Robert de Visée, Alessandro Piccinini, Karl Kohaut. Many historical lute pieces were published, but many others are found only in manuscripts, perhaps belonging to the composer or perhaps belonging to some amateur lutenist who would copy in unpublished songs, or have a renowned guest indite a new comp ...

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Lute, Lute - Description of the instrument, Lute - History and evolution of the lute, Lute - The lute in the modern world, Lute - The lute repertoire, Lute - Tuning conventions, Lute - Quotations

Read more here: » Lute: Encyclopedia II - Lute - The lute repertoire

Lutes were made in a large variety of sizes, with varying numbers of courses, and with no universal standard for tuning. However, the following seems to have been generally true of the Renaissance tenor lute, and has been adopted as the modern standard. A 6-course Renaissance tenor lute would be tuned to the same intervals as a tenor viol, with intervals of a perfect fourth between all the courses except the 3rd and 4th, which differed only by a major third. The tenor lute was usually tuned "in g", named after the ...

See also:

Lute, Lute - Description of the instrument, Lute - History and evolution of the lute, Lute - The lute in the modern world, Lute - The lute repertoire, Lute - Tuning conventions, Lute - Quotations

Read more here: » Lute: Encyclopedia II - Lute - Tuning conventions

Notable composers of lute music include: Francesco Canova da Milano, Bálint Bakfark, John Dowland, John Johnson, Johann Sebastian Bach, Sylvius Leopold Weiss, Wolf Jakob Lauffensteiner, Philip Rosseter, Thomas Campion, Johannes Hieronymus Kapsberger, Robert de Visée, Alessandro Piccinini, Joachim Bernhard Hagen, Ad ...

See also:

Lute, Lute - Description of the instrument, Lute - History and evolution of the lute, Lute - The lute in the modern world, Lute - The lute repertoire, Lute - Tuning conventions, Lute - Quotations

Read more here: » Lute: Encyclopedia II - Lute - The lute repertoire

The lute enjoyed a revival with the awakening of interest in historical music around 1900, and that revival was further boosted by the early music movement of the second half of the Twentieth Century. Lute performances are now not uncommon. Lutes built at present are usually replicas or near copies of those surviving historical instruments that are to be found in museums or private collections. They are invariably custom-built and never found in music stores. Lutes generally must be bought second hand in a very limited market or else ordered custom built from a luthier. As a result, lutes are generally more expensive than ...

See also:

Lute, Lute - Description of the instrument, Lute - History and evolution of the lute, Lute - The lute in the modern world, Lute - The lute repertoire, Lute - Tuning conventions, Lute - Quotations

Read more here: » Lute: Encyclopedia II - Lute - The lute in the modern world

Lutes were made in a large variety of sizes, with varying numbers of courses, and with no permanent standard for tuning. However, the following seems to have been generally true of the Renaissance lute: A 6-course Renaissance tenor lute would be tuned to the same intervals as a tenor viol, with intervals of a perfect fourth between all the courses except the 3rd and 4th, which differed only by a major third. The tenor lute was usually tuned nominally "in g"(there was no pitch standard before the 20th century), named afte ...

See also:

Lute, Lute - Description of the instrument, Lute - History and evolution of the lute, Lute - The lute in the modern world, Lute - The lute repertoire, Lute - Tuning conventions, Lute - Quotations

Read more here: » Lute: Encyclopedia II - Lute - Tuning conventions

Hindustani music is predominantly more liberal than its south Indian counterpart. The prime themes of Hindustani music are Rasleela (Hindu devotionals) of Krishna and Nature in all its splendour. Bhimsen Joshi, Ravi Shankar, Hariprasad Chaurasia and Zakir Hussain are the arts' most popular living performers. Carnatic music is similar to Hindustani music in that it is mostly improvised, but it is much more theoretical with stricter rules. It emphasizes more on the expertise of the voice rather than on the instruments. Primary themes include D ...

See also:

History of Indian music, History of Indian music - Hindustani music, History of Indian music - Carnatic music

Read more here: » History of Indian music: Encyclopedia II - History of Indian music - Hindustani music

The contribution of the Adil Shahi kings to the architecture, painting, language, literature and music of Karnataka is unique. Bijapur (Kannada form of the Sanskrit Vidyapur or Vidyanagari) became a cosmopolitan city, and it attracted many scholars, artists, musicians, and Sufi saints from Rome, Persia (Iran) Iraq, Turkey, Turkestan, etc. The unfinished Jami Masjid, started in 1565, has an arcaded prayer hall with fine aisles supported on massive piers has a impressive dome. The Ibrahim Rouza which contains the tomb of I ...

See also:

Adil Shahi, Adil Shahi - Historical overview, Adil Shahi - Adil Shahi arts and heritage, Adil Shahi - Adil Shahis of Bijapur

Read more here: » Adil Shahi: Encyclopedia II - Adil Shahi - Adil Shahi arts and heritage