Embedded Files
Objectives
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Sing and aurally identify pitches (swara) in the North Indian raag system.
Sing and aurally identify pitches (perde-s) in the Turkish makam system.
Sight read rhythms in simple time that incorporate syncopation at the 8th-note division level.
Note: These objectives are intended as an introduction to theory in raag and makam. If a student wishes to perform music from either tradition, they should seek a guru or mentor.
Preparation for Class
Preparation for Class
Read:
Read:
North Indian Classical Raag (from Sādhana, Demystifying Indian Classical Music)
Review as needed: "The Notes"
Turkish Makam
Review as needed: "Guide to Turkish Music Theory, §1–2, Tuning (Ahenk) and Pitch (Perde)"
Watch
Watch
Turkish-Style Solfege
Turkish-Style Solfege
(Turkish Ud Lessons, 5 minutes)
** Sing along with the video using solfège syllables. The notation for each song can be found in the anthology.
10 Parent Scales in Indian Classical Music
(Sādhana, 2 minutes)
10 Parent Scales in Indian Classical Music
(Sādhana, 2 minutes)
** Sing along with the video using sargam syllables until the scales feel comfortable. (See the scale notation here and p. 2 for the scales rewritten with accidentals).
Explore
Explore
Ableton's Maqam Player: Try out Ableton’s interactive Maqam Player to compose with different jins from Egyptian and Syrian maqam. For more details about the tuning system, visit the Maqam Tuning Presets Guide.
Maqam World: On the Maqam World site, pick a few 3, 4, or 5-note Jins, click the notes on the staff to hear them, try singing along, and listen to recordings to identify what you hear.
Study Aids
Study Aids
Handout: Guide to North Indian (Hindustani) Music Theory
Handout: Guide to Turkish Music Theory
In-Class Activities
In-Class Activities
Discussion
Discussion
Challenges to Transcription: Listen to the following composition (bandish). Which aspects are easy to identify? What about this recording might make transcription difficult?
Challenges to Transcription: Listen to the following composition. Which aspects are easy to identify? What about this recording might make transcription difficult?
Activities
Activities
Singing Indian Classical Scales: Sing through the scales from the assigned video as a class, using sargam syllables. These scales are the parent scales (referred to as "thaat") that all raags belong to. These scales are included in the anthology; there's also a PDF here. (See p. 2 for the scales rewritten with accidentals). Do any of these scales resemble previously discussed scales or collections? Discuss strategies for singing some of the less familiar scales.
North Indian Sight Singing: Sing along to the following composition (bandish) using sargam syllables from the time stamp 3:45. Here is a score from the anthology. How did it feel to sing along with the recording? Were there things the singer was doing that you could not? How might one go about learning to sing that way?
Turkish Sight Singing: Sing along to the following composition using Turkish solfège. Here is a score from the anthology. How did it feel to sing along with the recording?
Repertoire for Practice
Repertoire for Practice
Sight Reading/Dictation
Rhythm: Syncopation in simple time with 8th-note divisions.
Suggested Dictation: Transcribe the rhythm for the chorus of Harry Styles, "As it Was." The solution is provided in the anthology.
Melody: Continued work with pentatonic and modal melodies.
North Indian & Turkish Pitch Collections:
North Indian Scale Singing: Scale notation from the video with sargam syllables
Compositions: For singing imitation and transcription. Suggested examples:
Raag Analysis: Eri aali piya bin
Makam Analysis: Rast Pesrev, by Tatyos efendi
Want to learn more?
Want to learn more?
Check out this interview from NPR with Nepali musicians, Roshan Sharma and Kumar KC, fusing traditional Himalayan folk, Indian raags, jazz, and rock.
Additional Optional Practice
Additional Optional Practice
Musition:
Rhythm Tapping: Level 3
Drum Styles: Level 1b
Scales: Levels 8
Turkish Makam: Level 1
Auralia:
Rhythm Dictation: Level 4a–4c
Non-Western & Folk Melody: Levels 2–3
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