exam 1 instruments and music terms

Question 1

gita

Answer 1

song

Question 2

alapana (alap)

Answer 2

In Indian classical music, an improvisatory, rhythmically free section that introduces and explores the melodic characteristics of a raga

Question 3

svara kalpana

Answer 3

Rhythmic/melodic improvisation using solfege syllables

Question 4

tani avartanam

Answer 4

Improvised percussion solo

Question 5

pallavi

Answer 5

The first section of a kriti vocal performance from India.

Question 6

nad-brahma

Answer 6

a holy emanation of God

Question 7

gamaka

Answer 7

(ornaments) are produced by bending, sliding, and vibrating the strings

Question 8

tala

Answer 8

Rhythmic cycle of a certain number of beats, which may be subdivided in different ways. The beats are further grouped into clusters

Question 9

jor

Answer 9

medium tempo, suggestion of rhythm; follows alap, preceds jhala

Question 10

jhala

Answer 10

fast, climatic, heavy use of drone strings

Question 11

bandish

Answer 11

Vocal composition

Question 12

ustad

Answer 12

Reserved for elder, acknowledged masters recognized for their abilities and knowledge; Muslim

Question 13

sruti

Answer 13

drone layer of south Indian classical music

Question 14

raga

Answer 14

The melodic system used in Indian classical music

Question 15

pandit (pundit)

Answer 15

Reserved for elder, acknowledged masters recognized for their abilities and knowledge; Hindu

Question 16

guru

Answer 16

teacher

Question 17

shishya

Answer 17

A pupil of a guru.

Question 18

gharana

Answer 18

a “musical family” or lineage that preserves, cultivates, and develops a particular tradition of raga performance, often over the course of many generations

Question 19

tampura

Answer 19

drone instrument

Question 20

sitar

Answer 20

Plucked lute with gourd resonators;
18 or 19 wire strings divided into 6 or 7 playing strings and 12 sympathetic strings that vibrate from the sound of the playing strings.

Question 21

sarod

Answer 21

Plucked lute with a fretless neck made of polished metal and carved wooden resonator covered with goat skin; 25 strings divided into 4 playing strings, 3 drone (chikari) strings and 18 sympathetic strings (tarbs).

Question 22

sarangi

Answer 22

3-string bowed lute; contains over 30 sympathetic strings that vibrate when the main strings are bowed

Question 23

rudra veena (bin)

Answer 23

A bamboo tube zither with two gourd resonators; 4 wire playing strings, 3 drone strings (chikari) and 24 brass coated frets.

The instrument is associated with the god Shiva in the form of Rudra, a deity of wind and storms.

Question 24

saraswati veena

Answer 24

Plucked lute; 4 playing strings, 3 drone strings and 24 brass frets

Question 25

tabla

Answer 25

set of two tuned drums.

Question 26

pakhawaj

Answer 26

double-sided drum

Question 27

mridangam

Answer 27

double sided drum with differently prepared and tuned drumheads. Can produce over 10 different sounds.

Primary percussion instrument used in Carnatic classical music.

Question 28

harmonium

Answer 28

a keyboard instrument that is a lot like an organ

Question 29

svara

Answer 29

set of notes