Cool Electric Sitar Track

[rlainhart]

http://vimeo.com/2117594

He plays the Zitar, a type of electric sitar, and plays it well. I like the rhythmic feel and chord changes on this tune too. Check it out.

[Krahn]

That sounds awesome. Beautiful sound and cool playing. I'm so impressed. Thanks for sharing, Richard.

[Grey Loki]

I've never understood how Sitar/Zitar players can be so fast when playing with those huge great rods at each fret - it seems like they'd be getting in the way more than anything else. Either way, nice video - I like the sort of electroacoustic vibe it gives :)

[sam]

very nice! tnx for sharing.

S.

[Breno Ronchini]

Nice stuff!

[rlainhart]

As I understand it, they kind of float over the top of the frets, rather than digging down into them. The raised frets are there so they can do bends and vibrato by pushing down into the space between the frets, as well as pulling from side to side. (Also so there's room under the main strings for the sympathetic strings.)

But, like playing a guitar with a scalloped fretboard, you need a very light touch in the left hand, otherwise you press too hard and your intonation suffers. It's a very expressive playing method once mastered, which of course takes years.

Some sitar players will also oil their left hand fingers so they can slide along the strings more easily - sarod players do this regularly.



I've never understood how Sitar/Zitar players can be so fast when playing with those huge great rods at each fret - it seems like they'd be getting in the way more than anything else. Either way, nice video - I like the sort of electroacoustic vibe it gives :)

[RemcoG]

I think I'm actually more impressed by the video then with the music.
That is something what doesn't happen often.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing Richard! Amazing!