Indian music Flashcards
What is the svara?
The svara refers to the notes of a scale. The important notes to remember are sa and pa
What is raga?
Raga is a melodic framework that uses a particular scale and specific melodic movements.
A raga most often uses 7 out of 12 possible pitches; some are used as few as 5 or as many as 9; or even use more pitches as auxiliary notes.
What is Gamaka?
Gamaka are melodic ornamentations that arise out of musical movements.
These include pitch bends, pitch slides, and occasional wide vibratos for solo instruments
What is Tala?
Tala refers to the metrical or rhythmic cycle.
What are instruments found in North India?
Sitar Sarod Sarangi Tabla Tambura
Describe the Sitar and explain how it is played
The Sitar is a plucked lute with a large neck and tall, metal, hoop-shaped frets.
It has 6-7 melodic Strongs and 2 drone strings
It has 11-13 sympathetic strings running under 20 moveable frets.
The main strings are plucked with a metal plectrum worn on the index ginger on the right hand
Describe the Sarod and explain how it is played
The Sarod is a plucked lute with no frets but a metal-covered, tapered fingerboard.
It has 4 metal melody strings, and the rest of the 21 strings are either tuned to drone or sympathetic strings
Main strings are played with he left-hand fingernails pressing the metal strings and sliding along the metal fretless fingerboard while the right hand strikes the strings with plectrum
Describe the Sarod and explain how it is played
The Sarod is a plucked lute with no frets but a metal-covered, tapered fingerboard.
It has 4 metal melody strings, and the rest of the 21 strings are either tuned to drone or sympathetic strings
Main strings are played with he left-hand fingernails pressing the metal strings and sliding along the metal fretless fingerboard while the right hand strikes the strings with plectrum
Describe the Sarangi and explain how it is played
The Sarangi is a bowed fiddle with 3 melody strings made of gut
It has 30-40 sympathetic Strongs made of metal
It is held in the lap
The main strings are stopped with the upper fingernails of the left hand and the bow is held with the palm facing outwards.
Describe the tabla and explain how it is played.
There are two drums, the Baya and the Daya
The Baya has an indefinite pitch and played with the heel of the left hand which is pressed into the drum to change the pitch. This gives a distinct sound lower in pitch(bass).
The Daya is tuned to sa and played with fingertips of the right hand. It is higher in pitch
Their heads are made out of goat’s skin which a central area which has a coating made from iron fillings and rice flour.
What is the Alap and the Gat
Alap - It is a slow introductory section to set the mood; extensive exploration of raga by solo melodic instrument; usually only accompanied bad drone. It is unmetred and heavily improvised, showcasing the musician’s creative talent.
The Gat - Begins with instrumentalist playing melodic theme that is often a “fixed composition” although the theme is often varied and improvised upon. It is also accompanied by the tabla.
Describe the Vina and how it is played
It is a plucked string instrument consisting of 4 main laying strings and 3 drone strings.
It is played with the fingers of the left hand pressing, pulling and gliding on the 24 metal frets while the fingers of the right hand pluck the strings with a plectrum.
Describe the Mridangam and how it is played
The Mridangam is a barrel-shaped, double headed wooden drum that is held on the lap.
It can produce as many as 20 different sounds when played with different combination of finger and parts of the hands
It can be fastened by leather straps and these can be tightened or slackened by the player to alter the pitch.
