A shruti box is a small wooden instrument 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. It is also used as an accompaniment to other instruments, notably the flute and voice. The lower notes of the Male Shruti Box are usually meant to accompany instrumentals or low vocals.
This fine shruti box features 13 brass reeds with 13 side mounted controls, combinations of which produce hundreds of sounds via its integral bellows. It covers the following range: 4C# 4Eb 4F# 4G# 4Bb 4C 4D 4E 4F 4G 4A 4B 5C.
To play, open one or more of the reeds by pushing the toggle to the side, unlatch the integral bellows and unlatch the reeded side of the instrument. It is essential that at least one reed be open when you pump the bellows.
Actual instrument weight is approximately 5.0 lbs.
