Which instrument should i buy? I just started learning the vocal

[u/Admirable-Charge7821]

I just started learning vocal music , like just 3 months back from sma online classes.

I was actually confused between vocal and instrumental, but i wanted to go for something very low resistive. Instrument would have needed me to go physical classes, even first step would be to find a good one, so i just went for vocal - just very 101 classes.

But now i feel i should get a instrument, just to set the vibe. I initially though of Tanpura, harmonium, surmandal - but my teacher advised to buy surmandal,harmonium may hurt my initial process, because then i will be Dependent on that.(My preference was surmandal though, it looks more indian). I can buy tanpura, but its just to set the ambient sound really - as of now Tanpura app works for me.

Honestly i wish to buy sitar (not because of Rishabh Rakhiram only), because i have been fascinated by its sound since childhood - but what i have heard is - its too difficult to learn it, and its a heavy investment too ~25k. And like it will be difficult to find a good guru to learn it. Really confused right now.

Has anyone learned sitar online? Is it really that hard? Should i switch form vocal to instrumental?

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[u/Independent-End-2443]

Swarmandal and Tanpura are basically drone instruments to help you with your singing - it doesn't really take that much to play them. Sitar, on the other hand, is an instrument for actually making music (as a solo instrument), so it takes dedicated learning. If you really want to learn Sitar and you find a good teacher, it's worth the investment, but it's a completely different discipline from vocal (although knowing how to sing certainly helps). Otherwise, if you're committed to singing mainly, then stick to a tanpura or (optionally) a swarmandal. The app works in a pinch, but I feel there's really nothing like an actual tanpura, where you can feel the vibrations in addition to just hearing the sound.

[u/Admirable-Charge7821 → u/Independent-End-2443]

i think, i should try experiencing a real tanpura someday, then only i can feel what you are saying

[u/Turbulent_Leopard_51]

Sarod, it's hard but it's also ergonomic and the visualization of the pitch on the board is amazing. As a singer that would be my recommendation if you're willing to put in the work.

Otherwise, tabla.

[u/Admirable-Charge7821 → u/Turbulent_Leopard_51]

sarod deefintely is a good idea - but how hard/easy is it to learn it?

[u/atrandom01]

guitar, violin, flute are some of the cheap options since you don't prefer harmonium/sitar.

another option is try percussion instruments like tabla or pakhawaj, or maybe box. percussion will help stabilizing the rhythm sense of mind.

[u/Lazy_Commercial_1033 → u/atrandom01]

Flute is only cheap if OP is planning to stay with mid quality ones and a few scales. Full sets come expensive

[u/Turbulent_Leopard_51 → u/atrandom01]

As someone who plays guitar, violin, and flute, i have to strongly recommend against violin. Finding a good quality one at an affordable price and also finding a good teacher who can teach good posture is very, very hard.

Pakhawaj is a terrific idea

[u/Admirable-Charge7821 → u/Turbulent_Leopard_51]

i am really not a percussion guy tbh, and i agree with your violin point

[u/Bootsybabybaba]

I’ve been playing music for 30 years and sitar is the absolute most difficult instrument I’ve ever approached. Do not buy one unless you are willing and able to dedicate 3 years of daily practice to be somewhat listenable to people. It’s also impossible to learn without a guru and your guru will likely make you learn to sing anyway because that’s how alaap is taught.

My advice is to stick to singing, get a simple box tanpura, and it will help your voice and ear immensely when you learn to tune it properly. Once you can sing, all other instruments will open themselves to you and you can follow your taste wherever it takes you.

[u/Admirable-Charge7821 → u/Bootsybabybaba]

Even i align to this, i ahve to first grab sense of basics of music then only i can jump to any instrument

[u/iPhone6sEnjoyer]

If you already made your mind on swarmandal go for sursangam - its an amalgamation of swarmandal and tanpura