Indian Music

Question 1

Melodic features of Indian Music

Answer 1

improvised
ornamentation
all based on RAGA SCALE (selection of 5-7 notes, atonal)
sequencing
melodic development

Question 2

Harmonic features of Indian Music

Answer 2

lots of intervals in 4th
dissonance
drone

Question 3

Timbre of indian music

Answer 3

Sitar- melody; 22 strings, improvised using the raga scale
Tambura- drone; 4 strings
Tabla- taal (16 beat cycle); 2 headed drum
Tremelo

Question 4

Structure of indian music

Answer 4

ALAP- slow, no pulse; raga scale is introduced
JHOR- starts to get a pulse, music starts to speed up; more rhythmic
JHALA- ‘party part’ of indian music. Fast; melody & drone improvising
GHAT- hear the drum for the 1st time. Less improvised, call and response

Question 5

Rhythm & metre of indian music

Answer 5

Alap- no pulse; slow
Jhor- starts to get a pulse
Jhala- fast

Question 6

Texture of indian music

Answer 6

polyphonic