Indian Fingering May 2026

A smooth slide from one note to another without the lateral pull of a Meend .

The physical structure of the instrument dictates the fingering style: 1. The Sitar indian fingering

Players don't just move up and down the neck; they pull the melody string downward across the curved frets. A smooth slide from one note to another

Because the frets on a Sitar are tied with silk thread and can be moved, a player must constantly adjust their finger pressure to stay in tune with the specific "Raga" (scale) being played. Because the frets on a Sitar are tied

Acts as the primary driver for most melodic passages.

In Hindustani classical music, particularly for the Sitar, the standard practice is to use only the and middle fingers of the left hand.

This pulling technique allows a player to play up to five or even seven notes from a single fret position, mimicking the "glissando" of a singer.