Bīn

Bīn (Hindi, Hindust., Mar., Punj.), *tube zither of N. India, equivalent to the vīnā of S. India, made of a bamboo tube with 19 or more chromatic frets, connected to 2 large gourd resonators, 1 of which rests against the player's left shoulder during performance. Of the 7 metal strings 3 are off-board drones tuned to the keynote. The bīn is tuned either A0 a0 a1/c♯0 e0 A0 d0 or c2 c1 c2/c0 g0 c1 f1. Played with bare fingers or a plectrum. Ca. 1 m. (40 in.) long (46, 170). Sort…