THATS HOW IT WORKS!! I had wondered for a long time how the bridges of such instruments were made so specifically to get that sound, but this makes way more sense, being fine-tuned like this!
Thank you so much!! I just restored a smashed one (pumpkin looked like exploded) and I was just wondering why I did not have overtones, you made me happy!!
@@jawari5 Have you ever worked on Tanjore Tamburas, or do have any thoughts on them with regard to construction/acoustic properties relative to the Miraj instruments?
I'm sorry, regarding the acoustic qualities I unfortunately have too little expierence with Tanjore tanpuras to be able to comment on this. I suspect the basic principle will be the same. They do however use different materials for the bridge. Miraj uses hard wood, bone, horn or nylon (delrin or elforyn) . Tanjore uses mostly brass. This alone will give a drifferent timbre.
Basicfally, this process will work on any instrument. However it will depend on 3 factors... 1. The curveature of the flat table bridge is correct and according to the principles of jawari. This should be checked by a professional. 2. The string is tuned, and the gauge is correct according to its length and mensure. It will not work if the string is too loose or too taught. 3. The jiva (threads) should be thin, preferably sowing thread. Do not use double thick...if necessary, just take a thicker thread. Follow the instructions in the video. I hope this helps you 🙏🏼
Hi. Does anyone know, if you can use any pearl, with a hole in it, as a substitute for a lost bead? Is there anything about the shape or the material i should be aware of? I lost one of my beads, when i re-stringed my 4-string tanpura. Hope to get some help 🙂🙏
Basically every situation is different. My advice is to buy all kinds of threads and thicknesses and experiment. You will find your own personal preferences.
@@tosslevyindianmusicalinstr5507 tanpura tuning is quite difficult for me ....what should I do ,if you can give me some tips..I am tuning it with help of electronic tanpura
Hello Subodh, It's extremely difficult to explain this in words. This is a short explanation, to get you started. Be patient as this is a difficult process and you will get better with pratice. It is also a question of the musicians ability to listen to the tanpura string and copy the note you hear as precisely as possible on your own instrument. I find it easier if you tune a string up to the note. In other words start the tuning in a slightly lower note and slowly tune up until the two notes "melt together". This has helpt me. The other thing to mention is the importance of physical process of tuning. I often use a chromatic tuner to help me. The precision of the ear is better but the tuner does help a lot. Once you are close to the "melting point" using the tuning peg, we fix the peg so it wont slip. We follow by checking the tuner. Firstly, if the tone is too high, we pull or press the string. Then the tone will drop. Then using the peg we tighten up a fraction. Repeat this untill the sting tuning becomes stable. The next step is the fine tuning. It is done as follows... basically the bead is mostly used for tuning up and the pressing or rubbing of the string will lower the tone . Keep this in mind. Once the string is plucked check the chromatic tuner until you achieve stability of the required note. Continue this process on all strings. Once the tuning is completed, the jiva process can begin. I hope this helps you. I may make a video of this process in the future.
@@sinclarhirvela8160 if you want to change the sound timbre on a sitar, you will need to do Jawari. The process will open or close the sound, and can give you better sustain. I am planning to make a video series on how to do jawari. It will be in 2 parts, one part concerning the tanpura, and the other part will be focused on sitar, which is more involved, more difficult to do. Filming should start within a couple of months.
Hi Wondering why on my Tanpura seems to be a very short decay from the strings and have to be played rather hard ? I have set the jiva on the bridge. Can you please help
Hello Gar.... I suggest you try using thinner threads. This problem may be caused by the threads being to thick and therefore dampening the sound. Also, if this does not help then check to see if the gauge of the strings are good according to your tuning preferences. Another possibility could be the bridge itself. Check to see if there are grooves etched into the bridge directly under the strings. This will cause sound issues. In this case you must do the jawari, the process of reshaping the bridge to acquire your preferred sound and timbre. This should be done by a professional repairer. I hope this can help you.
@@jawari5 great thank you so much for your prompt reply. I think maybe the thread is the issue so will try this. Thanks so much will let.you know how I get on
Hello Tyger Tyger, sitar does not use the jiva system because it is a melodic instrument using frets. A tanpura simply uses the open strings. The jawari is drifferent on both instruments. Kind regards, Toss Levy
Hi, Should the Tanpura have a very buzzy sound or a more subtle resonant sound or is it a matter of preference? I notice you set the Jivas at a very buzzy position when setting them, but at the end when playing it, it had a more subtle sound.
Hi friend, Usually, the musician will base the tuning and the amount of buzz according to his/her own preferences. Sometimes however, it is not possible to get the sound your looking for. In this case try using other thicknesses of the jiva thread, and if you still have no sucess, then it is highly likely that the bridge may need some maintenance, this is called jawari. It is advisable to search for a professional person who can do this job well. Good luck!
@@jawari5 Thanks, that's helpful. Just got a travel Tanpura, love it. Is there much difference in sound and quality between the travvel ones and the full size traditional ones, ive heard people say the sound of travel ones is not as good?
@@justahumanbeing.709 I agree, the full sized male tanpura has the fullest and most profound sound. The smaller the instrument, the less overtones, sustain and warmth in the sound quality.
This depends entirely on the string gauge and the jiwari . I always start with the thinnest thread as this has the best sustain. Slowly try threads thicker and thicker until you are happy with the sound. The tuning is not a factor in this.
@@tosslevyindianmusicalinstr5507 A tanpura player arrived early to a performance, sat down on the rug that had been laid out, and began to tune. He continued to play as the other musicians arrived, settled in and tuned. The audience arrived and settled in and he continued to play throughout the performance. He continued to play, absorbed in the drone and the asha, the halo of overtones, after the concert ended and everyone had gone except for one man who sat, as if rapt in the tone of the reverberating tanpura. Finally, the player stopped and got to his feet. He spoke to his one-person audience. "You are the true lover of music, you who appreciate the tanpura. Yes, those others know about raga, the arohi and avarohi, the vadi and samavadi, the rasas and the time of day. Yes, they know alap, jor, and jhala; they know bandish and variations, they know the ten thaats and they can keep taal and recite the bols of the tabla. But this is superficial, you alone are the true aficionado and the great music lover who understands that the tanpura is the heart that holds the very nad bindu, the om, that is nad brahma, the sound of god." The man in the audience stood up, blushed with embarrassment and said, "Sorry, Ji, I was just waiting for my rug."
One day a tanpura player had to take a forest path to get to a performance in the next village. Halfway through, he was surprised by some dacoits who demanded he give them all his money. He had noting but his dhoti and the tanpura so the dacoits said they would take the tanpura. "Yes, take the tanpura. It is just a gourd, I can pick another one off the ground. The neck and pegs are ordinary wood, I can cut new pieces right now, they are worthless. And the strings? Just cheap wire, the hardware wallah has whole spools of it for a few paisa. Please take them, I don't care. But the jiwa, the magic threads, please, I beg you not to take them. Without the jiwa, there is no jivari, the holy sound that fills the universe. The tanpura is rubbish, but please leave me the magic threads!" The dacoits looked at one another and said, "Leave the damn tanpura, let's take those magic threads!"
