Tanpura Tuning

The standard tuning for 4-stringed tanpuras consists of fifth, octave and tonic. Ragas without any fifth require different tuning - some traditional options for that purpose are given below. 5-stringed or 6-stringed tanpuras offer further variations. As an alternative to the traditional solutions many creative musicians make up their own tunings. The tuning of tanpuras can also be varied quite flexibly by using different string gauges.

4-stringed tanpura

fifth - octave - octave - tonic 
fourth - octave - octave - tonic
seventh - octave - octave - tonic
sixth - octave - octave - tonic

5-stringed tanpura

fifth - octave - octave - octave - tonic
fourth - octave - octave - octave - tonic
seventh - octave - octave - octave - tonic
sixth - octave - octave - octave - tonic
fifth - seventh - octave - octave - tonic
fourth - seventh - octave - octave - tonic
fourth - sixth - octave - octave - tonic

6-stringed tanpura

fifth - octave - octave - octave - octave - tonic
fourth - octave - octave - octave - octave - tonic
seventh - octave - octave - octave - octave - tonic
sixth - octave - octave - octave - octave - tonic
fifth - seventh - octave - octave - octave - tonic
fourth - seventh - octave - octave - octave - tonic
fourth - sixth - octave - octave - octave - tonic