Question: I am seeing over time sitarists are slowly reduced the amount of bass from the overall sound of the sitar , they are making modifications to the sitar and the there is a base cut – if a sitarist of this generation pics up a 50-60 year old sitar, invariably he cuts the bass What brought in the requirement to the present practitioners ? And does this help the overall sound ?? I personally love how the sitar used to sound previously- Ilyas Khan, Yusuf Ali Khan, Mustaq Ali khan, Nikhil Banerjee Their playing sounded more nuanced and true and rich and the raga. Please shed light on this if possible, thanks in advance, pranams. [Souradip Laha, India]
Question submitted on 14 Nov. 2024 | Responded on 15 Nov. 2024
Your question revolves around (a) your liking of a type of sitar, i.e., sitar with bass strings, and (b) the contrasting choice of sitar without bass strings by most current sitar players.
When (1) individual experiences shape an individual’s personal preferences and (2) broader trends within the sitar player community may happen because of one or combinational reasons that I shall discuss below.
For any specific individual, e.g., the questioner, musical choices are often influenced by a person’s unique exposure to different styles, cultures, and social contexts.
There are several reasons why a large number of sitarists are gravitating toward bass-cut instruments:
1. Some players may simply be connected to a tradition that uses sitars without bass strings and continue with this choice.
2. Players who have experienced both sitar with bass strings and bass-cut sitars might prefer one over the other for various reasons:
a. Technical advantages: One type of sitar might be easier to play or maintain.
b. Musical advantages: The sound produced by a bass-cut sitar may be preferred for its tonal qualities or for its better fit with modern music styles.
c. Both technical and musical advantages: A combination of these factors may make the bass-cut sitar a better choice.
d. Audience appeal: Some players might opt for bass-cut sitars if they believe it enhances their performance and audience connection.
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