The Sarod
The Sarod
How to play the Sarod
The player first sits down with their legs crossed. The sarod is held horizontally across the lap of the player. The strings are then struck with a pick made out of coconut shell. The player then presses the strings with the fingernails instead of the fingertip. This in turn produces a more pronounced echo. You have the same hand movement has if you are playing the guitar.
From my research, there are neither gender associations nor religous contexts affiliated with the sarod. Anyone can play it.
In this video, you see Alam Khan, son of Ali Akbar Khan, play the sarod.
What is the sarod?
Background
The sarod is part of the chordophone classification. It is part of the lute family that is common to tradition of Northern India. The term sarod (song or melody) is of Persian origin. The modern form of the sarod was constructed in the 19th century. It is believed to have been decended from Afghan rubab.
Classification
The Sarod is classified as a chordophone. The Hornbostel and Sachs number is 321.321. The 3 indicates that it is a string instrument, 32 indicates that it is a composite chordophone, 321 indicates that it is a lute, 321.3 indicates that the string bearer is a plain handle, 321.32 indicates that the handle is attached to the resonator, and 321.321 indicates that it is a necked bowl lute.
​
Construction
The neck and peg box are made from one piece of wood. The type of wood used is called teak wood. The fingerboard has no frets but it does have steel plates. There is also a second sound box made of brass which extends to the top end of the neck. Both playing and drone strings are fingered or plucked, producing an echo like effect. The strings are made out of steel or phosphor bronze. Tuning pegs are put on either side to tune the strings.