--- url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/can-you-tune-a-ghatam' title: 'Can you tune a ghatam?' author: name: rajeevk url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/user/fce96177fd193d3a' date: '2026-10-19T14:54:23+00:00' type: website summary: "A ghatam's pitch is essentially fixed, so players keep several pots; plasticine, clay or water can lower it slightly." tags: - 'Instruments & artforms' image: 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' published: true og: site_name: KalaSudha 'image:url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' 'image:secure_url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' 'image:type': image/svg+xml 'image:alt': KalaSudha --- FAQ · Instruments & artforms # Can you tune a ghatam? Updated 19 October 2026 A **[ghatam](/en-in/instrument/ghatam)**'s pitch, or shruti, stays essentially fixed once it is made, so professional players keep several pots and choose the one nearest the soloist's shruti. Size governs pitch: larger pots sound lower. Players can lower the pitch a quarter to half a note with plasticine or clay on the outside, or by wetting the pot. Was this answer helpful? [ ](/en-in/user/login?flag_anon=faq_helpful-810&destination=/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/can-you-tune-a-ghatam) [ ](/en-in/user/login?flag_anon=faq_not_helpful-810&destination=/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/can-you-tune-a-ghatam) Thanks for your feedback! ## Related pages 1 page mentions this question ### Instruments (1) - [ Ghatam The ghatam is the clay pot of Carnatic music. Struck on its neck, belly and mouth, it gives tones from a metallic crack to a deep bass, beside the mridangam or… ](/en-in/instrument/ghatam) [ Previous question Can you replace a tabla head? ](/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/can-you-replace-a-tabla-head) [ Next question Can you tune a morsing? ](/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/can-you-tune-a-morsing)