Indian Classical Music Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is the name of the layer in Indian classical music that performs the melody?
The Raga
What is the name of the layer in Indian classical music that is usually performed on the tanpura?
The drone
What is a drone?
A drone is a repeated note or a series of tow or three repeated notes. It is called a drone because it sounds as if the notes are constantly droning on in the background of a piece of music.
What is the name of the rhythmic pattern used in Indian classical music?
The tala
On which instrument is the raga typically performed on?
The sitar
Typical features of the raga (5)
String / pitch bend
Playing fast runs (Scalic)
Glissandos
Ornamentation
Improvisation
Which part of Indian classical music does tanpura play?
The drone
The tala is often played on the ____
Tabla
What is the first beat of the tala called?
The sam
What is the bamboo flute called in Indian classical music?
Bansuri
Name the four sections of Indian classical music in the order they are performed in
Alap
Jhor
Jhala
Gat or Bandish
How are Indian classical music taught?
Oral tradition
What are the bars in Indian classical music called?
Vibhags
Name some melodic instruments in Indian classical music (6)
Sitar
Sarod
Veena
Bansuri
Harmonium
Sarangi
Describe the sarod
A North Indian plucked stringed instrument with 20 to 25 strings. Like the sitar, the sarod has many sympathetic strings that lend a ringing tone. The face of the sarod is covered with goatskin, which gives it a unique sound.
Describe the veena
an ancient plucked stringed instrument used in South Indian classical music. It is similar in appearance to the sitar, with a long neck, a round resonator, and an additional gourd resonator attached to the neck. It has four melody strings and three sympathetic strings.
Typical features of the Alap? (4)
- Sitar player introduces the raga and improvised freely
- No beat or pulse
- tambura (drone) accompaniment
- Lots of ornamentation by the melodic instrument
Typical features of the Jhor? (3)
- Music speeds up a bit and becomes more rhythmic
- More steady fill
- Still sitar and tamboura only
Typical features of the Gat? (4)
- Music tales off
-Tabla comes in - Ensemble now plays a pre-composed piece & improvisations
- turns into Question and Answer
What is the Gat called when it is not instrument and accompanied by vocals?
Bandish
Typical features of the Jhala? (2)
- A lot faster & feels more exciting
- Both tambura & sitar improvises freely around the melody
