Rhythms Of The World - Indian music

Question 1

In Indian classical music, state the meaning of tala

Answer 1

A repeated rhythm which includes accents and silent beats

Question 2

In Indian classical music, state the meaning of tabla

Answer 2

A pair of drums used to play the tala. It sets the tempo and controls its changing. Can produce a variety of timbres and the rhythm can become very complex as the music progresses

Question 3

In Indian classical music, state the meaning of raga

Answer 3

A scale pattern which forms the basis for melodic ideas. Each raga is intended for a specific time of day or season

Question 4

In Indian classical music, state the meaning of sitar

Answer 4

A large string instrument which plays the raga and develops the melodic shapes, can give a drone effect

Question 5

In Indian classical music, state the meaning of pitch bend

Answer 5

Where players often bend the strings while playing

Question 6

In Indian classical music, state the meaning of improvisation

Answer 6

Ideas that aren’t prepared and are extended and developed during a performance on a specific raga

Question 7

In Indian classical music, state the meaning of call and response

Answer 7

Communication between the players and is an important feature of classical Indian music.

Question 8

In Indian classical music, state the meaning of ornamentation

Answer 8

Melodic ideas that are frequently decorated

Question 9

In Indian classical music, state the meaning of a drone

Answer 9

A sustained note usually in the base

Question 10

In Indian classical music, how is the drone created?

Answer 10

• sympathetic strings on a sitar
• sarod (similar to sitar but has deeper tone quality)
• bansuri (flute type instrument)
• sarangi ( a violin type instrument)

Question 11

What did traditional punjabi Bhangra originate from?

Answer 11

Originated as dance music to celebrate the harvest

Question 12

What is the nature of punjabi Bhangra?

Answer 12

Lively and cheerful in nature

Question 13

Give three musical features of punjabi Bhangra

Answer 13

Voices, ornamentation and chaal

Question 14

In traditional Punjabi Bhangra, state the meaning of chaal

Answer 14

The characteristic traditional Bhangra rhythm pattern

Question 15

In traditional Punjabi Bhangra, state the meaning of dhol

Answer 15

A double headed drum struck at each end with beaters used to play the chaal.

Question 16

When are the accented notes on a dhol played?

Answer 16

Beats 1,6 and 7 and occur when both ends of the drum are struck together

Question 17

How are voices used in traditional Punjabi Bhangra?

Answer 17

Usually male as a solo with a backing chorus often using a call and response technique in punjabi language

Question 18

In traditional Punjabi Bhangra what do the vocal lines follow?

Answer 18

The Chaal and a backing singer may shout ‘hoi’

Question 19

In traditional Punjabi Bhangra, what instruments are used?

Answer 19

Traditional Indian instruments like sitar and tabla

Question 20

In traditional Punjabi Bhangra, what makes the harmonium?

Answer 20

A small reed organ to play melodic ideas

Question 21

In traditional Punjabi Bhangra, how is ornamentation used?

Answer 21

Used frequently to decorate melodic ideas and in vocal parts where there are often slides and microtonal intervals

Question 22

Name three effects in music

Answer 22

Looping, reverb and echo