Bulbul tarang
Encyclopedia
A bulbul tarang literally "waves of nightingales", alternately Indian banjo is a string instrument
from India and Pakistan which evolved from the Japanese Taishōgoto
.
The instrument employs two sets of strings, one set for drone, and one for melody. The strings run over a plate or fretboard, while above are keys resembling typewriter keys, which when depressed fret or shorten the strings to raise their pitch.
to new keys. The melody strings may be tuned to different pitches if desired, however, rendering it multi-tonic, but more difficult to play. The bulbul tarang is most commonly played as accompaniment to singing.
, and in Pakistan as benju
. In Maldives as kottafoshi.
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
from India and Pakistan which evolved from the Japanese Taishōgoto
Taishōgoto
The , or Nagoya harp, is a Japanese stringed musical instrument. The name derives from the Taishō period when the instrument first appeared.-Construction:...
.
The instrument employs two sets of strings, one set for drone, and one for melody. The strings run over a plate or fretboard, while above are keys resembling typewriter keys, which when depressed fret or shorten the strings to raise their pitch.
Tuning
The melody strings are commonly tuned to the same note, or in octaves, while the drone strings are tuned to the 1st and 5th of the melody strings. Tuned in this manner, the instrument is uni-tonic, or unable to modulateModulation (music)
In music, modulation is most commonly the act or process of changing from one key to another. This may or may not be accompanied by a change in key signature. Modulations articulate or create the structure or form of many pieces, as well as add interest...
to new keys. The melody strings may be tuned to different pitches if desired, however, rendering it multi-tonic, but more difficult to play. The bulbul tarang is most commonly played as accompaniment to singing.
Related instruments
The Indian version is sometimes known as the "Indian banjo" or "Japan banjo"; similar instruments in Germany and Austria are known as akkordoliaAkkordolia
The Akkordolia is a stringed musical instrument from Germany and Austria. The strings are usually made of steel, and are pressed down using typewriter keys.-References:* *...
, and in Pakistan as benju
Benju
A benju is a type of dulcimer fitted with a keyboard, commonly used in the music of Balochistan and Sindh. The instrument is believed to have migrated to the region from Japan some 100 years ago.-...
. In Maldives as kottafoshi.
Usage
- Kapil SharmaKapil SharmaKapil Sharma is an Indian stand-up comedian and actor from Amritsar in Punjab, India. He was the winner of stand up comedy reality series, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge on STAR One, where he received acclaim for his stand-up comedy characters, Lala Roshan Lal and Shamsher Singh...
from Mumbai is one of the greatest player. - The instrument has found its way into western music, including recordings by Hala StranaHala StranaHala Strana is the name of a recording project of American musician Steven R. Smith. Smith began recording under the name in 2002 as an outlet which allowed him to explore the traditional music of Eastern Europe more fully than possible with his solo work...
, Henry ThreadgillHenry ThreadgillHenry Threadgill is an American composer, saxophonist and flautist. Threadgill came to prominence in the 1970s leading ensembles with unusual instrumentation and often incorporating a range of non-jazz genres....
and AirAir (jazz group)Air was a free jazz trio founded in 1971 by saxophone player Henry Threadgill, double bassist Fred Hopkins and drummer Steve McCall. They combined radical free improvisation with a strong sense of tune and equal emphasis on each instrument in the group....
.
External links
- Bulbul Tarang at Chandrakantha.com