Blues
Tonality — Middle string G
long
D
short
F2
long
G
long
C2
short
G2
Top string = lowest pitch
For Players
Ben Aylon • Xalam Tunings
Personal tunings to help you begin exploring your instrument
Hi,
Thank you for purchasing the xalam.
I’m happy to share a few of the tunings I have developed over the years while playing this instrument.
I did not learn the xalam through one single traditional teacher. Instead, I gathered knowledge through listening, experimenting, meeting musicians, and exploring different tuning systems that served my own way of playing and composing.
These tunings are personal sound worlds that deeply inspire me when I play. I hope they open new ideas and sounds for you too.
I would love to hear your feedback. Feel free to send me videos, and you are welcome to tag me on social media so I can share your playing with my followers.
All the best,
Ben
Guide
How to Read the Tuning Diagrams
- Each diagram shows the five strings of the xalam.
- The long and short lines represent the long and short strings of the instrument.
- The top string in each diagram is the lowest-sounding string.
- Tune each string to the note written at the end of its line.
long
D
short
F2
long
G
long
C2
short
G2
The Tunings
Three Tunings to Begin With
Traditional (Sauta)
Tonality — Bass string D#
long
D#
short
F2
long
G
long
C2
short
G2
Top string = lowest pitch
Sufi
Tonality — Bass string C
long
C
short
F2
long
G
long
C2
short
G2
Top string = lowest pitch
Stay In Touch
Share Your Playing
I would love to hear how these tunings sound in your hands. Feel free to send me videos and tag me on social media.