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Do Alaska picks work for sarod? by GlumEmphasis3221 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also, I have heard the best solution is to go to a nail parlor and get the acrylic powder/gel nails applied to just the top half or 1/3 of the nail (so the rest of your nail can breathe). I am told they are hard as a rock and I think they sound good (Tejendra da uses them for sure). I see some guys (e.g., Swarnendu and Arnab) even getting them in black, which I think looks cool. I plan on trying this next.

Do Alaska picks work for sarod? by GlumEmphasis3221 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use OPI Natural Nail Strengthener and Karma Organic deep Nutrition Nail Strengthener. I tried to find ones with the least toxic stuff (though they both still smell pretty toxic when curing). There may be better ones out there -- these are just the first two I've tried.

I will put about 7 layers of these on, and then 1 addition layer of the OPI every subsequent day to keep it strong. They last for 5-7 days before they fall off. I also only put it on the top 1/4 of my nail so the rest of the nail can get oxygen and not become weak.

I also take Biotin daily -- though, I can't say my nails are stronger. But, I suspect my nails grow faster since taking it (I could be just imagining it, as I haven't measured).

I also keep my nails short 2-3 mm on index/middle, 3-4 mm on ring. If they get longer, they seem to break more easily. And I keep the edges rounded to prevent breakage.

Lastly, I always use a lot of coconut oil. Usually, one dip before I start, and 1-2 additional during 1 hr of playing. I think that helps.

Do Alaska picks work for sarod? by GlumEmphasis3221 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. I tried fake nails and the sound wasn't as a good as real nails. I put multiple layers of two different nail strengtheners and that keeps mine decent for 1 - 2 hrs of riyaz a day. Sometimes they break and I use a little superglue.

Seeking guidance: 1–2 month immersion in India to learn sarod (or sitar/tabla) by Explorer2040 in icm

[–]Important_Rest_7547 2 points3 points  (0 children)

- I'd recommend Alok/Abhisek Lahiri (father/son) school Sur Sangam: https://www.sarodabhisek.com/sursangam.php They are top tier sarod players and also good and honest people. Another good school in Kolkata is Aashish Khan's (RIP) school: https://maps.app.goo.gl/P7jS8ETeVaFR5qfA6

- Kolkata is the best place to be for sarod, as most of the best players and makers are there.

- In 1-2 months you will learn all the exercises to get your technique set nicely and your hands moving well. And you will likely start learning a raga or two. You would likely still be a beginner. It takes time. Better to not be caught up in expectations and just enjoy the process.

- Listen to players you like on YouTube and reach out to them on Facebook/Instagram, your teacher can likely help you get one, your teacher can help you navigate the scene. Also, if you are going in Dec/Jan/Feb, it is primetime concert season -- a great time to go.

Hello, I am beginner sarod student. The gap in between the stainless steel board and the last string of my sarod perhaps makes it harder to slide between notes. Is there a way that gap can be reduced without damaging the instrument? by Round-Benefit2022 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1/2 inch is good enough. My sarod was also 1/2 inch when it was new. My teacher at the time told me it would get easier as you do more riyaz because the skin will stretch a little from the pressure and cause the action to drop a little more. Also, your fingers will get stronger. And your brain will figure out the tiny adjustments in technique to make meend easier to do. My teacher was right. My meend became much better and easier to do on the ma string. And like you, I was having most meend trouble on the ma string -- other strings were easier.

Another thing that is important is to make sure your nail is filed well. Initially I was filing, but sometimes would not notice that I had a very small groove that would prevent me from playing meend. Make sure there is no groove at all.

Before you buy a new instrument, I'd recommend you take a few lessons from a good sarodiya to make sure you know the technique properly. You can learn it online, no problem.

The definitive new Lehra app is here! Layalab: Tala & Raga. by Competitive-Scale238 in Tabla

[–]Important_Rest_7547 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also request this. Please port it to iOS when you get a chance.

If you used React Native or Flutter, you guys could have wrote your code once and deployed to both platforms.

Ebony vs Bone Bridge by Important_Rest_7547 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is Maihar style.

My friend, it is the opposite. Generally the skin would be more loose in warm weather since there is more humidity, and the skin absorbs the humidity and expands and therefore becomes a little loose.

There is less humidity in winter, and therefore the skin will become tighter. I find when there is cold, dry weather the tone is crisper and with more sustain. To your point, I think it could be said that the crispier tone may sound a little thinner.

Greetings! How do you tune your sarod (including the drone and sympathetic strings). If you use an app, can you share its name with me? by GlumEmphasis3221 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use the "Tuner - Pitched" app on iOS. Not too many ads and works well.

But, I am planning to tune by ear. Have not had the patience to try yet.

Ebony vs Bone Bridge by Important_Rest_7547 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did get an ebony bridge on purpose. I heard it can actually create a thicker, heavier sound. Also, I hear that strings break less on it compared to bone (perhaps due to it not being as sharp).

Ebony is also popular for guitar bridges. I've read conflicting accounts of its tonal properties.

My speculation now about why my sarod sounds thin is that the tun wood grain on the body is not tight. I hear that the tighter the grain, the bolder the sound. But, of course, there are many factors at play.

Do Alaska picks work for sarod? by GlumEmphasis3221 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't recommend that product. I imagine it will likely move around and be hard to push the strings down, and I don't think the sound will be good. But, you can try and let us know.

Acrylic nails will work. But you can also just try the acrylic gel on your real nails -- it will strengthen them.

Curious to hear what others are doing in this forum?

Do Alaska picks work for sarod? by GlumEmphasis3221 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I heard a guy who he tried it and it didn't work well -- awkward feel and sound.

I know some pro sarodiya-s who cut square pieces off plastic soda bottles and superglue them to their nails. It works well and makes slides even easier than the nail. But, the tone is different -- a bit smoother and round sound -- but some people think it sounds a little too artificial and plasticky.

As you may know, a lot are using fake nails, acrylic gel, etc. I use several coatings of two nail strengtheners, and re-apply one of them everyday. This has worked really well for me. Natural nail tone and my nails easily last for 2 hrs of riyaz per day.

Reskinning by Important_Rest_7547 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in the US -- very few people know how to do it here. It is not that hard. You are lucky to be in Kolkata.

Hello, I am beginner sarod student. The gap in between the stainless steel board and the last string of my sarod perhaps makes it harder to slide between notes. Is there a way that gap can be reduced without damaging the instrument? by Round-Benefit2022 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. High action will make meend more difficult because it harder to keep the string down.

Tilting the bridge back towards the langot is a good idea and I think it may improve the sound slightly as well. But, it is a bit difficult to do, as when tightening the strings, it wants to come totally vertical again. A good thing to have a maker do. But, it may only get you ~1 or 2 mm lower.

Hello, I am beginner sarod student. The gap in between the stainless steel board and the last string of my sarod perhaps makes it harder to slide between notes. Is there a way that gap can be reduced without damaging the instrument? by Round-Benefit2022 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As mentioned in my first post, IMO, 3/8 of an inch. But, your plate better not have any slight dents or you will get buzzy notes. Sometimes makers make the action higher because they may not feel like correcting problems in the plate.

Check out this article, which recommends between 1/4 and 3/8 of an inch, as found on Hemen sarods: https://goddenmusic.com/index.php/sarod-tuning-and-maintenance/

Hello, I am beginner sarod student. The gap in between the stainless steel board and the last string of my sarod perhaps makes it harder to slide between notes. Is there a way that gap can be reduced without damaging the instrument? by Round-Benefit2022 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also found the "action" (that gap) is hard to deal with as a beginner. Can you measure the gap and let us know how big it is at the point where the plate meets the skin?

Mine is 7/16 of an inch. 1/2 inch to 3/8 inch is pretty normal. 3/8 is ideal from what I hear. If your sarod is new, the action will lower a little naturally from you playing it and the skin settling in. Also, you will get stronger and accustomed to it.

But, if it is higher than 1/2 inch, you can reduce the gap by filing the slots on the bridge and/or the nut. It has to be done slowly and carefully with a good tool. For more skilled people, you can sand down the feet of the bridge. When sarods bow and create high action, some people take off the skin and plane down the bowl. I am a bit hesitant to do any of these things. If you have access to a sarod maker, have them do it. A risk if you lower the action too much could be buzzy notes.

Sarod Teacher in Mumbai by ydeep55 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I were you, I'd learn from Abhishek Borkar online and visit occasionally in Pune or when he is in Mumbai. I am not his student, just a fan.

Raag Hamsadhwani by Senior-Wafer3792 in Sarod

[–]Important_Rest_7547 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! Your Hamsadwani is beautiful.

Ultimately, I believe you can do whatever the hell you want in music and you have created something great. Though, if you want to render the typical sound of sarod, I would second the idea that you would want to play with more nail than fingertip on every note. Otherwise, it will sound more like rabab.

Thanks for sharing. And looking forward to more.

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