The tambura is a musical instrument used in various places around the world.

See Tambura (Bulgaria) for description of the bulgarian tambura.

India

A tambura (South India; North India: tanpura) is a long-necked Indian lute, unfretted and round-bodied. It has four or five (rarely: six) wire strings all played open which are plucked one after the other to make a drone sound.

In Hindustani classical music, with four strings, the strings are usually tuned PA SA SA SA, the last SA low. With a fifth string, NI is added: PA NI SA SA SA, the last SA low again (see swara).

Since the Tambura is an instrument of drone-accompaniment, it is incapable of playing melodies.

It is designed in three different styles.

• Miraj style
• Tanjore style
• Tamburi

External links

• Eyeneer.com: Instruments: Tambura
• Makar-records.com: Indian Classical Music Instrument Index
• chandrakantha.com: Tanpura or Tambura
• seasite.niu.edu: World music: Tampura(Tambura)