Indian Music

Brian KoIB Music Y1Mrs. Hall

History of Indian Music

Considered one of the oldest in the world. Claimed to date

back to when Vedas (Hindu Bible) was created.

History of Indian Music

The music of India was always a great cultural, religious and traditional influence to Indian people throughout history.

The Types of Indian Instruments

Sitar Sarod Santoor Sarangi Shehnai Violin Nagaswara

m Veena Ghatam Tabla

String Instruments

Sitar- A seven stringed instrument with sixteen to twenty two frets placed on the fingerboard. It is played with a wire pick. This instrument enlightened many Westerners to Indian music.

Sarod- The instrument has a deep, unique sound. It is fretless and contains six metal strings that run down the body of the instrument. It also has a round end. Like the Sitar, this instrument is played with a plectrum. This instrument is also crucial for Hindu music.

String Instruments

Santoor- A 30 bridged instruments, with 4 metal strings with equal tune over two pairs of bridges. The body is composed of a wooden trapezoid box. This instrument is popular to the film musicians.

Sarangi- 4-stringed instrument played with a horse hair bow. The instrument is placed on the lap when played. The body is composed of carved, designed wood. The tone is similar to the human vocal chord.

String Instruments

Indian Violin- It is the most recently introduced instrument in Indian music. It is also the only western instrument that is applied in Indian music. However, the notes are tuned differently to the Western Violin.

Veena- Constructed on block wood, this instrument has 24 frets and six strings. It is played with a pick.

Wind Instruments

Shehnai- It is a one reed instrument with six holes that generate comforting, melodious sound. Sharps and flats are controlled with breath strength.

Nagaswaram (Nadaswaram)- Believed to be evolved by the snake, the Nagaswaram contains a wooden mouthpiece and a bamboo or wood pipe. The holes control the melody while the valves controls to flow of air. The sound is pleasing and soft.

Percussion Instruments

Ghatam- This is basically a mud pot being used as an instrument. The mouth of the instrument is open, and faces the player when played. Different sounds are generated by hitting the neck and the surface of the pot.

Tabla- Composed of two drums, the Dayan, made of black wood, and the Bayan (Duggi), made of either clay, copper, or wood, the instrument can produce various rhythms. The two drums are one octave away in regards to pitch. The leather straps are used to adjust the pitch.

Types of Indian Music

Two types Carnatic Hindustani

Carnatic Music

Southern India Puts most

emphasis on vocal Important

elements: Sruti- musical pitch Raga- rules of

building melody Swara- solfege of

Carnatic music(sa-ri-ga-ma-pa-da-ni)

Hindustani Music

Northern India Like Carnatic Music,

uses raga as well. Instruments:

Sitar Sarod Santoor Sarangi Veena Shehnai Tabla

Works Cited

http://www.artistspages.org/History_of_Indian_music.htm

http://www.indovacations.net/english/Indianmusicialinstruments.htm

http://www.technospot.in/types-of-music-in-india/

3 Excerpts

Carnatic vocal https://

m.youtube.com/watch?v=s5a3pthL_tU

Hindustani music https://

m.youtube.com/watch?v=TXE3sC14XDI

Sarangi https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w4x

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