How to play on a Top-shur

Tuning

Topshur is tuned in 4th, but it has no absolute tune: one string (lower or upper) usually tuned to lower kai note of the performer - you can see that its pins are more mobile then guitar ones.
When playing in band, tune 1st string to D or E, 2nd - to A or B accordingly.
Remember to adjust the stand (string holder on the deck): harmonic on the 12th fret must sound the same as pressed at that fret (like that hook when tuning a guitar's mensure)

Strings

You may use 2nd and 3d strings from a hard/thick guitar nylon set or just a hard fishing-line if your top-shur is too long.

Performance

Typical topshur riff (a Maadai-kara change) is continous 4/4 'down-up' at 100-120 tempo with no syncopas. There is also 3/4 syncopated 'khem' riff, a topshur tapping (similar to quitrs's) and a free legato manner.
topshur.mp3 (180.0Kb)