A shruti box (sruti box or surpeti) is an instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, that traditionally works on a system of bellows. It is similar to a harmonium and is used to provide a drone in a practice session or concert of Indian classical music.[1] It is used as an accompaniment to other instruments and notably the flute. The shruti box is also used in classical singing. In classical singing, the shruti box is used to help tune the voice. The use of the shruti box has widened with the cross-cultural influences of world music and new-age music to provide a drone for many other instruments as well as vocalists.
Adjustable buttons allow tuning. Nowadays, electronic shruti boxes are commonly used, which are called shruthi pettige in Kannada, shruti petti in Tamil and Telugu and sur peti in Hindi.[2][3]Recent versions also allow for changes to be made in the tempo, and the notes such as Madhyamam, Nishadam to be played in place of the usual three notes (i.e., Lower shadjam, panchamam, and the upper shadjam).
History[edit]
Before the arrival of the harmonium in the Indian subcontinent, musicians used either a tambura or a specific pitch reference instrument, such as the nadaswaram, to produce the drone. Some forms of music such as Yakshagana used the pungi reedpipe as drone. After the Western small pump harmonium became popular, musicians would modify the harmonium to automatically produce the reference pitch. Typically, one would open up the cover and adjust the stop of the harmonium to produce a drone.[citation needed]
Later, a keyless version of the harmonium was invented for the specific purpose of producing the drone sound. It was given the name shruti box or sruti box. These types of instruments had controls on the top or on the side of the box for controlling the pitch.[citation needed]
Shruti helps to tune your instruments or voice to accurate Carnatic swarams. It automatically detects the swaram by listening to your voice or instrument. It visually helps to accurately tune to swarams in any sthayi. How perfect is your singing or playing of swara sthanas? Sing or Play and this app will instantly show the swaram and your accuracy. Stream Shruti box from karnATik.com, a playlist by karnatik from desktop or your mobile device.
- Download Shruti Carnatic Tuner for Android to sing or play to see the swaram. Perfect ur singing, playing & tuning.
- Download Pocket Shruti Box: Carnatic Tambura for Android to pocket Shruti Box provides high quality Tambura accompaniment for carnatic musicians and students.
- ApkLizard Editor's Team Note (Android Shruti Carnatic Tuner 4.4.4) Shruti Carnatic Tuner App is developed by Kuyil and published in Music & Audio category on 2018-02-15. Shruti Carnatic Tuner 's latest version is 4.4.4. According to our rating team, Shruti Carnatic Tuner 's rating score is 4.5 / 5.
The shruti box is enjoying a renaissance in the West amongst traditional and contemporary musicians, who are using it for a range of different styles. In the early nineties, traditional Irish singer Nóirín Ní Riain brought the shruti box to Ireland, giving it a minor place in traditional Irish music. More recently Scottish folk artist Karine Polwart has championed the instrument, using it on some of her songs.[4] Singers find it very useful as an accompaniment and instrumentalists enjoy the drone reference it gives to play along with.[citation needed]
See also[edit]
- Sruti upanga, a Tamil bagpipe used to provide a drone
References[edit]
Carnatic Shruti Box Mp3 Free Download Pc
- ^Dr. Guy L. Beck (1 October 2007). 'The Magic of Hindu Music: Exploring the religious, historical and social forces that shaped Hindu music and now propel it into the future'. Hinduism Today. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- ^Children's Book of Music. DK Publishing. 2010. p. 33. ISBN9780756676384.
- ^Montes, Manuel. 'Nóirín Ní Riain: Celtic Soul'. Amazing Sounds. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
- ^'Karine Polwart FAQs'. karinepolwart.com. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shruti box. |
- Pocket Shruti Box (Android app) produces Tambura drone based on a physical model developed by researchers at the Sonic Arts Research Center of Queen's University Belfast.
- Shruti Box videos Videos of professional Shruti boxes in action.
- Yashagana Shruti Box Free Software Online/WINDOWS/Linux/Mobile/iPhone/Android.
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