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Lesson Objectives
Know and have a basic understanding of Indian culture with regards to Indian music.
Recognise Indian Classical instruments and their functions with Ragas
The Sitar
The Sitar
Plays the MELODY in Indian music
Used for solo IMPROVISATION
Stringed instrument with gourd sound box, a long neck and moveable FRETS
SEVEN main strings - one is the MELODY STRING while other notes play the DRONE NOTES
There are other SYMPATHETIC STRINGS which are not played but vibrate, giving the sitar its characteristic sound
The melody string is often pulled to BEND notes, giving a twanging sound.
The Tabla
The Tabla
A pair of single headed DRUMS
Different parts of the drum head make different sound which are produced by different combinations of finger movements as the tabla player IMPROVISES around the TALA
The Tambura
The Tambura
A DRONE instrument similar in shape to the SITAR
It is played vertically and has only FOUR STRINGS each tuned to the DRONE NOTES
Ragas and Talas
Ragas and Talas
Melodic and rhythmic improvisations are the most important aspects of Indian music.
Melodic improvisation is based on scales calls RAGAS, and rhythmic improvisation is based upon cycles of beats called TALAS.
Talas are cycles of 4-16 or more beats which are used as a basis for rhythmic improvisation.
The word “raga” has several meanings. In addition to being a scale of notes it is also a mood or feeling, a series of melodic motifs or fragments that are used in performance, and is the name given to a long piece of music in several sections based upon all of these.
The skill of improvisation is central in Indian music, and performers are judged on their ability to improvise imaginatively within the frameworks of the raga and the tala. In performances, the audience gestures and voices their approval when an exciting improvisation has taken place.
Rupak Tala
Rupak Tala
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