.
Perhaps the most constrictingly ‘Western’ instrument, nevertheless adapted to raga by artists such as Utsav Lal & Michael Harrison
–Raga instruments (full list)–
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—Utsav Lal (Bageshri)—
“The ‘Fluid Piano’, invented by Geoffrey Smith, is acknowledged throughout the world as a revolutionary instrument. It incorporates ‘fluid tuning’ mechanisms, that enable musicians to alter each note by precise microtonal intervals…it is an acoustic piano with no tuning restrictions, not limited to one predominant cultural tuning, offering an immense diversity of scales and modes from all around the world. It even gives you the freedom to alter the tuning whilst playing…The massive expansion in artistic choices, expression and capabilities that the Fluid Piano offers are incredibly exciting…” (Utsav Lal)
—More Info—
- Notable performers: Utsav Lal (1992-), Abhijit Pohankar (1975-), Adnan Sami (1969-), Michael Harrison (1958-), K.C. Mookerjee (?-?)
- Sa pitch: Given the piano’s inherent chromatic capabilities, any note could be used as the starting point for any raga – but in practice, Utsav Lal and Adnan Sami both seem to favour D (and Sami’s D# recording appears to have been pitch-shifted: physically, he’s playing the same keys as if he was in D) [see my Survey of Sa Tunings for more].
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• Hindustani Instruments: Anandi | Bansuri | Bass-Veena | Bazantar | Bulbul Tarang | Cello | Chaturangi | Dilruba | Electric Guitar | Esraj | Fretless Guitar | Harmonium | Jal Tarang | Jori | Mandolin | Mohan Veena | Nal Tarang | Pakhawaj | Piano | Rabab | Rudra Veena | Sagar Veena | Santoor | Sarangi | Sarod | Saxophone | Shehnai | Sitar | Surbahar | Sursagar | Sursingar | Swarmandal | Tabla | Tabla Tarang | Tanpura | Tar Shehnai | Taus | Vichtra Veena | Violin
–Survey of Sa tunings–
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—Hindustani Raga Index—
An open-ended project seeking to bring North Indian raga closer to all who approach with open ears. Combines direct input from dozens of leading Hindustani artists with in-depth insights from music history, global theory, performance practice, cognitive science, and much more besides!
–Megalist (365+ ragas)–
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George Howlett is a London-based musician, writer, and teacher (guitars, sitar, tabla, & santoor). Above all I seek to enthuse fellow sonic searchers, interconnecting fresh vibrations with the voices, cultures, and passions behind them. See Homepage for more, and hit me up for Lessons!
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