MM Shruti Box Surpeti Made in India (Large C-C)

It even comes with a nice carrying case.

I was so excited to have a chance to try out this product. Sure you can press and hold down one key on a synthesizer and "drone" a note... but the shruti box is a real, tangible instrument that you don't just hear, you also FEEL.As the player of the instrument you are almost more of a co-collaborator as opposed to the 'performer'. The box sits on your lap with the "keys" facing away from you (at least this is how I've been doing it). With one hand you pull and push the bellows at the back, which doesn't open up that big but produces a big sound, and with the other hand you slide/twist the little keys to the side to let that key's tone out, or straight down to silence it again. There are internal reeds for each key that vibrate to produce the sound, not radically different than an accordion. The bellows has a little "give", so you can go for a second without working them and the sound will continue, which is cool.The sound is mesmerizing, and easy to get lost in tone combinations. How about a low C with a high G# and B for 3 minutes? Odd... Open up the high C and an E, close the G#... a major 7th... enchanting...Great for your own use but also good probably in other contemplative contexts as well. If you're somewhat facile with the key-turning, it could service as vocal accompaniment for certain types of songs that stay close to the tonal center. As you see in the picture, the keys are laid out like a piano keyboard, and cover one octave.The box is well-made, and comes in a securing padded case.