Demonstration of Tambura Tuning

Video Transcript

To tune the tambura, you first have to refer to a melody instrument like the harmonium. And today, we're going to tune to the key of D. And the two notes that we're going to be using in this case and, actually, there are only two notes that we use in tuning the tambura. So we always pick the fundamental, in this case the fundamental is D. And then we choose the fifth for the other string tunings. So those two notes are where we're going. Let's start with the fifth because that is the first string. It is always the fifth. So I move to that string and I hear the sound first and I want to bring that string as close as I can by turning the tuning key. And you can go up or down depending on which you turn the knob. And now, what we want to do is compare that to our next string, which is, the next two strings are actually the fundamental, and that is the D. And so now you can hear that there's still a little bit of flatness in that first string. And by using the fine tuning bead, I can push down on that and bring the string up just slightly. Brought it back down, we're getting closer. It should sound pretty when you get done. It's been getting very close. See how pretty that sounds? And when they sound pretty in relation to each other, it's right. So that takes care of your first three strings. The fourth string is actually an octave lower than the last two strings. So, if you hear this first, you'll know what I'm talking about. They're the same note, but just a little bit of difference in term of pitch. The final step is to go ahead and adjust so that you get some of that resonance by moving the threads up or down. And that's the way you finish your tune.

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