---

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.


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

---