Overview

The bulbul tarang (or Indian banjo) is a string instrument from India and Pakistan. Its name literally means "waves of nightingales". The instrument employs two sets of strings, one set for drone, and one for melody. The melody strings run under a key plate with keys similar to those of a piano or, more often, typewriter. Depressing the keys as the strings are plucked or strummed activates stops on the key plate which shorten the strings and changes their pitch. The melody strings are commonly tuned to the same note, or in octaves, while the drone strings are tuned to the 1st and 5th of the melody strings. Tuned in this manner, the instrument is uni-tonic, or unable to modulate to new keys. The melody strings may be tuned to different pitches if desired, however, rendering it multi-tonic, but more difficult to play. The bulbul tarang is most commonly played as accompaniment to singing. The Indian version is sometimes known as the "Indian Banjo" or "Japan Banjo"; in Japan it is known as the "Taishogoto" , in Germany and Austria as Akkordolia, and in Pakistan as Benju. In Maldives as Kottafoshi.

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