Other names for the Shruti Box:

• Shrudi Box
• Srudi Box
• Sruti Box
• Surdi Box
• Surti Box

Photos of the new M1 model:

Shruti boxes provide a rich drone background that supports singing or playing almost any instrument. A shruti box is hand-pumped, so you can produce a slightly pulsating constant chord to support the right rhythm for the style of music you are playing.

We have spent years searching out the best shruti boxes and have found them! Our shruti boxes are imported from a maker in Germany and the other from the UK.

Both are constructed in India, with their strict specifications. The craftsmanship on both of these instruments are of the highest quality. The reeds on both are made by some of India's leading manufacturers.

The shruti's dimensions are 11 3/4"L x 9"H x 1 3/4"W Wt. 4 Lbs. A padded bag with handles and a shoulder strap is included.

These instruments are chromatic with a full octave of notes (13 notes), tuned to the western classical instrument standards (A=440Hz).

Shruti boxes are available in 3 models: C to C, a lower G to G, or the lowest F to F in chromatic half steps.

Note: The labels shown in the photos (C C# D Eb ...) do not come standard with our Shruti Boxes, but are available on request.

Our latest Shruti Box discovery is the beautiful Model M1 from www.shrutibox.co.uk designed by musician/composer Stefan Cartwright of the UK. The sounds emanating from this box are of the highest quality. Available in full octave chromatic scales of C-C and G-G.

The high C would represent middle C on a piano. Scroll down to the samples below to hear and see for yourself. Please contact Ron for more information by emailing ron@MusicInTheMoment.com or by calling 215 233 0777.

Shruti Box Model M1

The Shruti Box is a simple hand-operated instrument which provides a rich drone background to support singing and musical exploration. Users include professional musicians, voice coaches and educators. Our new instrument, the M1, sets a new standard in construction, sound and ease of playing. It provides an ideal accompaniment for the voice and can be enjoyed by anyone without training. The M1 Shruti Box can be played by anyone and works well with a range of musical styles.

The M1 is a versatile instrument: it is used as an accompaniment for singing practice, group chanting and toning; in performance for musical improvisation; as a background for storytelling; as a reference pitch for tuning instruments; and to add interesting textures to a musical composition. The simplicity of the instrument lends itself to working with children: the reedboard layout makes it easy to demonstrate musical basics such as notes and chords, the octave and harmony.

YouTube Videos

Here are some links to videos on Shruti playing:

• New Shruti Box and Hang Demo
• G Shruti Box
• F Shruti Box
• C Shruti Box

Shruti Box in Performance

Here is an excerpt from cellist Elizabeth Byrd's CD Breath and the Chakras (3MB):

Heart - Love is Divine Power

... and here is a short Bansuri improv over a shruti drone, by Clint Goss (1MB):

Bansuri over Shruti

Drone Sound Samples

Here are some 15-second MP3 sound samples of just the German shruti box (250KB each):

• C, F and C
• C and G
• C, G, and C
• E and A
• E and B

To Order ...

... it is best to speak with Ron Kravitz by phone. Many questions can be answered (and the shruti can be demonstrated) by phone that are difficult in email.

You can:

• call Ron Kravitz at 215-233-0777, or
  
  
• email Ron Kravitz, providing phone number in the U.S. for Ron to call you back.

Related Web Sites

Dante Bucci

Hang Camp USA - Sept 18-21, Elmer, NJ

Clint Goss

Manifest Spirit Records