'Rag desh' North Indian Classical Music Flashcards
What three pieces are we studying
Instrumental raga by authentic Indian performers
Instrumental raga by Americans
A vocal raga
Genre
North Indian classical music- Raga
Passed on through oral tradition
Meaning of rag Desh
Played in the evening
Mood is monsoon season
Rhythm
Tala- a rhythmic cycle
Sam- first beat of each cycle
Bol- rhythms played around the main beat of the Tal
Structure
Alap
Jhor
Jhalla
Gat (vocal- Bandish)
Alap- Tempo
Slow and thoughtful
Alap- Metre/Rhythm
No sense of beat
Free time
Alap- Features
Improvised
Soloist explores the notes of the rag
Drone throughout (tambura)
Jhor- Tempo
Steady/ medium
Jhor- Metre/Rhythm
A clear, regular sense of pulse
Jhor- Features
More rhythmic
More elaborate
Tempo is increased
Jhalla- Tempo
Fast/ lively
Jhalla- Metre/ Rhythm
Fast pulse
Exciting and complex rhythms
Jhalla- Features
High point in piece
Virtuoso playing
Climax of the whole piece
Gat or Bandish- Tempo
Moderate or fast