Indian Classical Music

Indian Classical Music

1. Structure

   • 1. Alap
     • Sitar player introduces notes of chosen raga scale
     • No beat or pulse
     • Accom: Tambura Drone
   • 2. Jhor
     • Music speeds up
     • Music is more rhythmic
     • Sitar player improvises melody
       • Takes on a steady beat
   • 3. Jhala
     • loads faster than other sections
     • Has a more exciting feel
     • Players improvise around melody
   • 4. Gat/ Bandish
     • Tabla Player comes in
     • group plays pre-composed piece
     • players add improvs
     • pass around musical ideas like Q&A

2. Main Instruments

   • Tambura
     • Tambura creates harmony
   • Sitar
     • string instrument
     • Techniques
       • Meend
       • pitch bending
       • vibrato
     • melody is improvised on sitar
   • Tabla
     • Percussion Instrument
     • 2 sizes
       • Big drum = tabla/dayan
       • smaller drum = baya
     • The tabla is the rhythm section

3. Subsidiary instruments

   • sarod
     • string inst.
   • sarangi
     • string inst.
   • bansuri
     • woodwind
     • flute like
   • shenhai
     • ww
     • oboe like
   • harmonium
     • keyboard inst.
   • Singers