Esraj
Cries arguably harder than a violin..
About this instrument
Like the Rabab, this instrument carries that same echoing resonance—like a drum sounding in a distant cave—yet it projects its voice in a completely different way. What first drew me to it was the raw, emotional quality of the bow; it feels both ancient and deeply contemplative in its beauty. There’s a certain unpolished character to it—less refined than instruments of the violin family—but that’s precisely what gives it depth. It seems to reach straight into the soul and carry it somewhere beyond words. This would be good for any event that is emotionally driven but unafraid of raw, honest expression.
In these videos I’m using what could be described as a “major/minor” sort of modal scale, showing a full spectrum of feeling. In the first video, I take a slower, more contemplative approach; in the second, I drive the emotion forward with more speed and complexity.
Recommended M o o d s for this instrument
The Esraj’s expressive bowing and sympathetic shimmer make it ideal for meditative, cinematic, and emotionally charged moments.
- Coming Soon!
- Coming Soon!
- Coming Soon!
- Coming Soon!
- Coming Soon!
