113 



as a body, and a stringboard without frets, with pegs at the end, along 

 which the wires, one brass and three steel, are stretched over a bridge, 

 below which each string is fitted with a glass bead, which improves 

 the tone and assists in tuning. JNo performance of varied character 

 is made on these instruments. They are tuned to one chord, in what- 

 ever key is required — generally of C — and the finger passed rapidly 

 across the strings : or the notes are played separately, but quickly, so as 

 to form the chord in vibration. 



Almost all Hindu and Mahomedan singers use these instruments in 

 preference to any other. They are, in fact, only helps to the voice, and 

 afford a simple accompaniment, which marks the time, while it does not 

 interfere with the singer's execution. So much ornament is employed 

 by professional native singers, that they prefer to rely upon their vocal 

 powers alone for success ; and it is esteemed a mark of inferiority to use 

 any other adventitious aid than the simple chord of the tumboora. In 

 most instances the singer plays himself, though I have occasionally seen 

 two or three instruments, of different sizes and tones, employed where the 

 singer was sure of correctness of time and accord. The tumhoora, there- 

 fore, is confined to the use of singers, male or female, or to accompani- 

 ments in recitations, the chaunting of sacred works and hymns, and of 

 scales and exercises in singing. It is never used in company with pipes 

 or flageolets, or indeed with any other instruments ; but, as I have de- 

 scribed it, the effect is simple, and often very charming when a good 

 instrument is used which has a mellow tone. 



21 frjJWTT (Sitar)- Guitar, ok Lute, foe Performance. 



The sitar is another instrument expressly intended for the perform- 

 ance of pieces of music, though I have heard it used occasionally by 

 Rajpoot minstrels as an accompaniment to the voice. It has five wire 

 strings, three steel for treble, and two brass for bass, and eighteen frets, 

 or, with the nut, nineteen ; and it will be seen by a glance, that its ca- 

 pability for execution is considerable, though the metallic strings always 

 produce a jangling effect, which is unpleasant. The sitar can be altered 

 to any key by moving the frets up or down, and a skilful musician 

 knows how to do this exactly. The execution with which it is fre- 

 quently played is wonderful, and the performer can execute chromatic 

 passages at will, extending to fourths of original notes. 



o 



22. ^JC^TT (Soorsringa). 23. ^KS^TT {Kuchwa). 



Numbers 22 and 23 are instruments of the same character as 21, for 

 performance only — 23 differs from 21, not only in respect to its size and 

 power, but in having two strings only to play upon, tuned in thirds, 

 from strings in the centre, which are tuned to the chord of the key or 

 primary note ; and two smaller strings at the side, which represent a high 

 octave, and can be struck as necessary. In playing, the chord in the 



r. i. a. proc. — vol. ix. a 



