Features:

• 36 strings.
• With box and key
• Tuning bead on each string
• Best quality

Price with box and key $425

 

About Swarmandal by David Courtney:

Swarmandal otherwise known as Surmandal, is basically a small harp. It is generally used for the drone to accompany vocalists. Although it is considered a minor instrument, as a class the harps are very old in India.

There is no such thing as a standard tuning for Swarmandal. Although this lack of standard tuning is discomforting to the average Western musician, it really is rather obvious. We must not forget that:
1) There is no standard size for a Swarmandal.
2) There is no standard number of strings.
3) Different individuals will sing from different keys.
4) One tunes the Swarmandal to the raag, every one of which will be different.

Stringing a Swarmandal for any individual is basically one of trial and error. Fortunately the Swarmandal's stringing latitude is so great that there is very little "error". It is usually more a question of individual taste. Simply start the low strings with strings that are that are intuitively low (e.g., brass, bronze, wire wrapped, etc). Start stringing your Swarmandal and then gradually work your way up to strings which are intuitively high (e.g., light gauge, steel).

Swarmandal's tuning is very simple, but you must first know two things. You must know what key that you sing in (i.e., safed ek (C), kali ek (C#), safed do (D), etc.). You must also know what raag that you wish to perform. We must presume that you know both of these things.
Start the Swarmandal's tuning with the lowest string and work your way up. Simply start with the lowest string and tighten it until the tension feels comfortable. At that point find the nearest note which is in the rag and tune to it.
Try to tune your Swarmandal to Sa or Pa. Then tune the next string, and the next, etc. You will quickly reach a point that the strings are getting too tight. At that point you can double up on the tuning. That is to say that you tune two or more strings to the same note. Then again you go up the scale. Again you reach a point where it is getting too tight. Again you double up the Swarmandal's tuning. Repeat this entire process until the instrument is in tune. One can use any note to double up on, however Sa and Pa are very comfortable.
Initially it is good to tune to a seven note scale (sampurna jati). Therefore, if you need to switch to a five note scale (audav) or a six note scale (shadav), then all that you have to do is double up on the appropriate strings. You do not wish to go back and retune the whole instrument when simply doubling up on the Swarmandal's strings will do the job.

The Swarmandal is now in tune.

As you work with your Swarmandal you will find yourself tailoring it to your own needs. You will find that changing the gauge or material of a string here and there, or a slight alteration of the tunings are in order. However, you will find that very quickly you have your Swarmandal as you like it.

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