Indian Classical Music

Question 1

Name the 3 section structure of Indian Classical Music.

Answer 1

Alap, Gat, Jhala

Question 2

What happens in the Gat?

Answer 2

The tabla enters and plays the tala, there is a pulse with some fixed phrases, but a lot of improvisation. 2nd section.

Question 3

What happens in the Alap?

Answer 3

It’s the opening section, slow and improvised, in free time. Contains the melody instrument (playing the raga) and tanpura only.

Question 4

What happens in the Jhala?

Answer 4

Final, exciting section, complex and virtuosic, fast.

Question 5

What is the tabla?

Answer 5

The tabla plays the tala, using fingers and hands to create a complex accompaniment to the raga improvisation.

Question 6

What is the tanpura?

Answer 6

Plays the drone, a repeated note/set of notes.

Question 7

What is a shruti box?

Answer 7

It plays the drone.

Question 8

What is a sitar?

Answer 8

Plays the melody, based on the raga.

Question 9

Sarod

Answer 9

A fretless lute, playing long glissandos

Question 10

Bansuri

Answer 10

Bamboo flute

Question 11

Shehnai

Answer 11

Indian oboe

Question 12

3 beats of the tala rhythm

Answer 12

X (Sam)-Strongest accent
X(Thali)-Accented, but weaker than sam.
O (Khali)-Silent beat, accompanied by a hand wave.