sdasdas Flashcards
The main formal sections of raga performance
Alap(opening section)-The slow abstract movement portion of instrumental raga performance. It is improvised by the sitar player. There is no drumming, no meter, no set compositions. The principal tones of the raga are introduced and deeply explored, each one is presented alond and dressed up in characteristic ornaments and microtonal nuances, which will be developed later. Alap is regarded as a test of the improvisatory skill in raga performance( since performers should be able to improvise)
Jor- middle section, serves as musical bridge between intro alap and the gat(std raga performance. Characterized by playing on solo melodic instrument that is rhythmically active, stead and more energetic than the alap. Despite the tempo speeding up, there is still no meter.
Gat- entry of table signals beginning of gat. Drumming establishes tala, which serves as foundational metric cycle for the remaining part of the music. As the gat unfolds, the drum part may move fluidly between accompanying the solo instrument, call and response in others, and playing complex rhythmic unison passages together with it in still others. As Gat moves forward, two general patterns: first, gradual increase in tempo; second, patterns and sections become longer and increasingly complex
Jhala- Ragas conclude with Jhala. Jhala follows the gat and ends with climactic finish. Jhala signalled in with sudden increase in tempo and continues to accelerate until the end. Musical energy also intensifies.
Ultimately, the raga strives to achieve Nada Brahma, “the Sound of God”
