The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c11.9

c11.9

In the manufacture of certain instruments earthenware is employed; the common country "blackwood" is largely used; in fact, whatever is found by the instrument makers, that from its natural shape, or the ease with which it can be worked, can be adapted with the least possible trouble to themselves, is readily seized upon, whether its acoustical properties are suitable or not, purity of tone being sacrificed to appearance. The natural consequence of this is that many instruments are badly put together in the first place; faults in their construction are glossed over by outward ornamentation, and, from want of proper material, the tone, which should be the first consideration, is frequently sadly deficient in volume and quality.