Indian Classical Music

Question 1

What is the name of the layer in Indian classical music that performs the melody?

Answer 1

The Raga

Question 2

What is the name of the layer in Indian classical music that is usually performed on the tanpura?

Answer 2

The drone

Question 3

What is a drone?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What is the name of the rhythmic pattern used in Indian classical music?

Answer 4

The tala

Question 5

On which instrument is the raga typically performed on?

Answer 5

The sitar

Question 6

Typical features of the raga (5)

Answer 6

String / pitch bend
Playing fast runs (Scalic)
Glissandos
Ornamentation
Improvisation

Question 7

Which part of Indian classical music does tanpura play?

Answer 7

The drone

Question 8

The tala is often played on the ____

Answer 8

Tabla

Question 9

What is the first beat of the tala called?

Answer 9

The sam

Question 10

What is the bamboo flute called in Indian classical music?

Answer 10

Bansuri

Question 11

Name the four sections of Indian classical music in the order they are performed in

Answer 11

Alap
Jhor
Jhala
Gat or Bandish

Question 12

How are Indian classical music taught?

Answer 12

Oral tradition

Question 13

What are the bars in Indian classical music called?

Answer 13

Vibhags

Question 14

Name some melodic instruments in Indian classical music (6)

Answer 14

Sitar
Sarod
Veena
Bansuri
Harmonium
Sarangi

Question 15

Describe the sarod

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Describe the veena

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Typical features of the Alap? (4)

Answer 17

• Sitar player introduces the raga and improvised freely
• No beat or pulse
• tambura (drone) accompaniment
• Lots of ornamentation by the melodic instrument

Question 18

Typical features of the Jhor? (3)

Answer 18

• Music speeds up a bit and becomes more rhythmic
• More steady fill
• Still sitar and tamboura only

Question 19

Typical features of the Gat? (4)

Answer 19

• Music tales off
  -Tabla comes in
• Ensemble now plays a pre-composed piece & improvisations
• turns into Question and Answer

Question 20

What is the Gat called when it is not instrument and accompanied by vocals?

Answer 20

Bandish

Question 21

Typical features of the Jhala? (2)

Answer 21

• A lot faster & feels more exciting
• Both tambura & sitar improvises freely around the melody