classical, folk, popular. hindustani and carnatic

INDIAN MUSICClassical, Folk, Popular

INDIAN CLASSICALHindustani and Carnatic

HINDUSTANI – NORTHERN INDIA Based on the raga, which is a melodic scale.

It can be major or minor. A raga must contain a minimum of 5 notes. melodic framework for improvisation and

composition. Improvisation – within the notes of the raga. Influenced by Arab and Persian music (but not

Muslim culture). Instrumental role important. Tala –

a metric cycle with a specific number of beats—from 3 to 128—that recur in the same pattern throughout a musical performance.

CARNATIC – SOUTHERN INDIA Based on a system of ragas and talas. Lyrics are spiritual

Devotional contentPhilosophical

Emphasis on vocal music.When played on instruments, must be in a

“vocal” style. Completely melodic, with improvised

sections.

INSTRUMENTS

Hindustani Carnatic

SITAR - HINDUSTANI Varying number of

strings, but usually 17 total.

3-4 playing strings 3-4 drone strings Rest are sympathetic

Sympathetic strings are not played, but vibrate when certain notes are played on other strings.

The strings are plucked with a wire finger plectrum called mizrab.

TABLA - HINDUSTANI A pair of drums. Right – made of

wood. Left – made of

metal, usually brass.

HARMONIUM – MOSTLY HINDUSTANI Imported from Europe

during 19th century. Hand pumped

bellows. Other harmoniums can

be foot pumped, allowing both hands to play and provide harmony. Indian music has no chords and musicians sit on the floor, therefore only the hand pumped harmoniums are used today.

VEENA - CARNATIC 7 strings, 4

playing and 3 drone.No sympathetic

strings. No plectrum,

finger picking. Used as a main

melodic instrument, not to accompany voice.

GHATAM - CARNATIC Clay pot

instrument. Two sounds

High – struck on side

Low – struck on top (mouth)

VIOLIN - CARNATIC Introduced by

Western culture. Played holding

between the shoulder and foot.

It is played in unison where the passage is composed but imitates the voice or main melody instrument in the improvised passages.

THANPURA - BOTH Drone

accompaniment 4 strings

Precision tuning is achieved by inserting bits of wool or silk between the strings and lower bridge and by adjusting small beads attached to the strings.

Fretless

LET’S LISTEN

Hindustani

Anoushka Shankar Carnatic

Ravi Shankar

TALI/TALA In Carnatic music, the musicians

and audience can use a hand clapping system to count the beats. There are many different versions depending on how many beats you are counting.

VOCAL STYLES

PADHANT A vocal way to count

rhythm. Padhant is a system

of spoken “words” created for each sound or bol that the tabla makes. These different “words” are then used to form patterns that when heard a player can then play on the drums. Padhant Demonstration

HINDUSTANI SINGING

CARNATIC SINGING

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REFERENCES Art India.net - http://

www.artindia.net/hindustani.html Hindu Online - http://

hinduonline.co/HinduCulture/IndianMusic.html

Fantastic Website! Tons of info - http://raag-hindustani.com/

Carnatic Instruments - http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/kallidaihari/instruments_in_carnatic.htm

Hindustani Instruments - http://chandrakantha.com/articles/indian_music/hindustani_sangeet.html