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ONLINE SHRUTI BOX / ONLINE TANPURA

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WHAT IS A SHRUTI BOX OR TANPURA?

The shruti box or Tanpura is used in Indian classical singing style - Carnatic or Hindustani.

The shruti box or Tanpura is used in Indian classical singing styles Carnatic and Hindustani. A shruti box similar to that of a harmonium and is used by singers as accompaniment to provide key or a reference point. This is used in Carnatic style. In both Hindustani and Carnatic music styles, the accompaniments described above produce a drone. A drone is a note or chord without gaps or interruptions.

SHRUTI BOX OR SRUTI BOX

A musician following the Carnatic style would call
this instrument as a Shruti box or Sruti box.

shruti_box

TANPURA

This instrument is called a Tanpura in India.

tanpura

WHY USE THE SHRUTI BOX OR TANPURA?

The shruti box is an instrument that is important for both Indian and Western singers. In the old days, harmoniums or stringed instruments were used instead. The Shruti box is traditionally used by singers to align their pitch with the key of the song. Today, though, musicians use a drone machine or an app to produce the sound. The vibration of the drone provides a reference point for the singing and playing of the song in its particular key.