INDIAN MUSICClassical, Folk, Popular
INDIAN CLASSICALHindustani and Carnatic
HINDUSTANI – NORTHERN INDIA Based on the raga, which is a melodic scale.
It can be major or minor. A raga must contain a minimum of 5 notes. melodic framework for improvisation and
composition. Improvisation – within the notes of the raga. Influenced by Arab and Persian music (but not
Muslim culture). Instrumental role important. Tala –
a metric cycle with a specific number of beats—from 3 to 128—that recur in the same pattern throughout a musical performance.
CARNATIC – SOUTHERN INDIA Based on a system of ragas and talas. Lyrics are spiritual
Devotional contentPhilosophical
Emphasis on vocal music.When played on instruments, must be in a
“vocal” style. Completely melodic, with improvised
sections.
INSTRUMENTS
Hindustani Carnatic
SITAR - HINDUSTANI Varying number of
strings, but usually 17 total.
3-4 playing strings 3-4 drone strings Rest are sympathetic
Sympathetic strings are not played, but vibrate when certain notes are played on other strings.
The strings are plucked with a wire finger plectrum called mizrab.
TABLA - HINDUSTANI A pair of drums. Right – made of
wood. Left – made of
metal, usually brass.
HARMONIUM – MOSTLY HINDUSTANI Imported from Europe
during 19th century. Hand pumped
bellows. Other harmoniums can
be foot pumped, allowing both hands to play and provide harmony. Indian music has no chords and musicians sit on the floor, therefore only the hand pumped harmoniums are used today.
VEENA - CARNATIC 7 strings, 4
playing and 3 drone.No sympathetic
strings. No plectrum,
finger picking. Used as a main
melodic instrument, not to accompany voice.
GHATAM - CARNATIC Clay pot
instrument. Two sounds
High – struck on side
Low – struck on top (mouth)
VIOLIN - CARNATIC Introduced by
Western culture. Played holding
between the shoulder and foot.
It is played in unison where the passage is composed but imitates the voice or main melody instrument in the improvised passages.
THANPURA - BOTH Drone
accompaniment 4 strings
Precision tuning is achieved by inserting bits of wool or silk between the strings and lower bridge and by adjusting small beads attached to the strings.
Fretless
LET’S LISTEN
Hindustani
Anoushka Shankar Carnatic
Ravi Shankar
TALI/TALA In Carnatic music, the musicians
and audience can use a hand clapping system to count the beats. There are many different versions depending on how many beats you are counting.
VOCAL STYLES
PADHANT A vocal way to count
rhythm. Padhant is a system
of spoken “words” created for each sound or bol that the tabla makes. These different “words” are then used to form patterns that when heard a player can then play on the drums. Padhant Demonstration
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REFERENCES Art India.net - http://
www.artindia.net/hindustani.html Hindu Online - http://
hinduonline.co/HinduCulture/IndianMusic.html
Fantastic Website! Tons of info - http://raag-hindustani.com/
Carnatic Instruments - http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/kallidaihari/instruments_in_carnatic.htm
Hindustani Instruments - http://chandrakantha.com/articles/indian_music/hindustani_sangeet.html
