Indian vs. Western music Flashcards
1
Q
How did Western Music differ from Carnatic music?
A
It dominated a different harmony and melody.
2
Q
In terms of types of notes, how do Western, Hindustani and Carnatic music differ?
A
Western music use very pure notes
Hindustani music used graced notes
Carnatic music used stylised grace notes
3
Q
Comparison 1 between Indian and Western Music.
A
- Western music is taught as a compulsory subject in school, including theory but even the option of learning Indian music in schools is banned due to British rule. It must be taught privately, which is expensive.
4
Q
Comparison 2 between Indian and Western Music.
A
- In Indian music, the melody is much more important. Individual skill and talent are key to deliver well. Improvisation and Presentation of swaras are also vital. In Western music, what is sung is an almost exact copy of what the composer has written.
5
Q
Comparison 3 between Indian and Western Music.
A
- The western orchestra offers great symphonies and sonatas with instruments playing different melodies that harmonise well. The Indian orchestra is limited as they play the same melody on every instrument just at different pitches.
6
Q
Comparison 4 between Indian and Western Music.
A
- Indian music has 22 sruthis with variations. There is also a variety of gamakas. Western music also has a wide variety of harmonic effects as well as quartertones. The Indian sampoorna raga equates to the western 7 scales likewise does audava raga equate to the pentatonic scale.
7
Q
Comparison 5 between Indian and Western Music.
A
- “Bhava” in Indian music considers the expression of the lyrics and ragas. Western music expresses mood through several components like minor and major scales.
8
Q
Comparison 6 between Indian and Western Music.
A
- In Indian music, musicians adjust the music to a comfortable pitch and the instruments then adjust to that. Some instruments like the flute have fixed pitches. In Western music, compositions are written for different pitches like tenor etc.
9
Q
Comparison 7 between Indian and Western Music.
A
- In Indian vocal music, the sahityams are influenced by devotional themes like gods. There is no separate comp for instruments. In western music, pieces are mostly composed for instruments. The Orchestras are created where there are different parts written for the different instruments but are played in unison. Not much singing.
10
Q
Comparison 8 between Indian and Western Music.
A
- In Indian music, rhythm is controlled by Thalams and Layams (tempo). These vary for each piece. Percussion instruments like the miruthangam are vital to support the tala. In Western music, the composition is split into bars of time signatures. The tempo is clear cut. So, percussion instruments are less important to the west.
11
Q
Comparison 9 between Indian and Western Music.
A
- For Indian Music, there is a clear connection between religion/philosophy and music. In the west, there used to be a religious significance in music but now it has vanished. There are still some types of church/religious music.
12
Q
Comparison 10 between Indian and Western Music.
A
- There are 2 systems of notation. In Indian music, S R G M P D N is called Sargam notation but in the west, their do re mi fa so la ti is called the solfa notation. The Sargam notation is much older.
