How the esraj makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the esraj belongs to the lutes: strings run parallel to a soundboard and along a neck – the family of the guitar, violin, sitar and oud.
More broadly it is one of the chordophones (string instruments), where sound comes from vibrating strings, amplified by a resonating body.
Press play above and watch the spectrum: the evenly spaced peaks are harmonics, and their relative strength is what gives the instrument its character.
From Wikipedia
The esraj or esraaj (from the Punjabi: ਇਸਰਾਜ Shahmukhi: اسراج Bengali: এস্রাজ) is a stringed instrument found in two forms throughout South Asia. It is a relatively recent instrument, being only about 300 years old. It is found in Pakistan and North India, primarily Punjab, where it is used in Sikh music, Bangladesh and West Bengal, India where it is used in Rabindra Sangeet and Classical Music. The esraj is a modern variant of the dilruba, differing slightly in structure.
Other lutes
Frequently asked questions
What does an esraj sound like?
As one of the lutes, its sound comes from the way strings run parallel to a soundboard and along a neck.
What type of instrument is the esraj?
It is classified as lutes (Hornbostel–Sachs 321.321-71).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q1818847 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Esraj – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Hans Skoglund – CC BY-SA 4.0