FAQ · Instruments & artforms

How is the violin tuned in Indian classical music?

Updated

In Carnatic music the violin's four strings are tuned to the tonic and the fifth, Pa-Sa-pa-sa. The tonic follows the soloist, so the violinist tunes to the singer or lead player. That tuning suits the violin's main Carnatic role as the melodic accompanist of the voice, whose tone it blends with.

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