Area of Study 3- Rhythms of the world: Indian Classical Music

Question 1

What is a raga?

Answer 1

The scales that tell the musicians which notes to play.

Question 2

What is a tala?

Answer 2

Rhythmic cycles that Indian music is based on. There are 100’s of them from 3-100 beats

Question 3

How are the ragas and talas taught from musician to musician?

Answer 3

By ear

Question 4

Why is it that pieces of Indian music that have the same name might sound completely different.

Answer 4

They are based on improvisation.

Question 5

Other than the performers, who joins in with the tala?

Answer 5

The audience

Question 6

What is the name for a wave in the tala?

Answer 6

Khalis

Question 7

What is the first beat of a tala called?

Answer 7

Sam

Question 8

What are the sections in a tala called?

Answer 8

Vibhags

Question 9

What are the syllable sounds in Indian music called?

Answer 9

Bols

Question 10

Name the 4 parts of an Indian Structure

Answer 10

Alap, Jhor, Jhala and Gat or Bandish

Question 11

What happens to the tempo through an Indian performance?

Answer 11

It increases

Question 12

What instrument has 24 strings, some of which are sympathetic and plays melodies and drones,

Answer 12

Sitar

Question 13

What instrument is a small set of hand drums?

Answer 13

Tabla

Question 14

Which instrument is a keyboard instrument with hand air pump?

Answer 14

Harmonium

Question 15

Which instrument is a bamboo flute?

Answer 15

Bansuri

Question 16

What are the names for the 2 drums in a Tabla?

Answer 16

Bigger- Baya, smaller- Dayan

Question 17

How can you tell the difference between a sitar and tanpura by looking at them?

Answer 17

The tanpura only has 4 strings, the sitar has 24.