Britannica Sources used in this answer

How do sympathetic strings change the sound of a sitar?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Koto — stringed instrument A Japanese musician plucking the strings of a koto with the right hand to generate a pitch and pressing the strings with the left hand to alter the tone.

In the context of the sitar, sympathetic strings—often called tarab or taraf—are a fundamental feature that significantly shape the instrument's unique sound. These strings, typically made of thin brass or steel, are positioned beneath the main melody and drone strings.12

When the sitar is played, these strings are tuned according to the notes of the specific raga being performed. As the main strings are plucked, the sympathetic strings vibrate in response to closely related pitches. This vibration reinforces the upper harmonics of the notes being played, which creates a characteristic "bright, silvery" tone quality. By adding this layer of resonance, the sympathetic strings contribute to the rich, complex timbre that defines the sitar's sound.1