Rag Desh Key Features

Question 1

How many layers are there traditionally in Indian classical music?

Answer 1

Three

Question 2

What are the layers?

Answer 2

1. A melodic line
2. A rhythmic pattern
3. A drone played on a string instrument

Question 3

What is the melody based on?

Answer 3

A rag

Question 4

What is a rag?

Answer 4

A pattern of notes, like a scale

Question 5

What are the pitches in a rag desh?

Answer 5

C - D - F - G - B - C

B flat - A - G - F - E - D - C

Question 6

What is strange about the rag desh as a scale?

Answer 6

It is different on the way back down

Question 7

What is the rag desh associated with?

Answer 7

The late evening and the monsoon season

Question 8

What is the rhythmic pattern based on?

Answer 8

A tap - a cycle of beats that is repeated and improvised

Question 9

What is the first beat in the tal called?

Answer 9

The Sam

Question 10

What is the structure?

Answer 10

1 Alap
2 Gat
3 Jhalla

Question 11

What happens in the Alap?

Answer 11

It is a slow introductory section where the notes on the rag are introduced against a drone

Question 12

What is the rhythm like in the Alap?

Answer 12

There is no regular pulse and no percussion

Question 13

What happens in the gat?

Answer 13

There is a fixed composition that is improvised on the solo instrument
The percussion enters and a clear pulse is introduced

Question 14

What happens in the Jhalla?

Answer 14

It is a fast final section where the music becomes more decorative and virtuosic