Transcript MUH 1007: Listening to Non

Classical Music of India
Musical traditions date back over 3,000 years
Two main types of classical music
– Hindustani: secular, court
music from Northern India
(including Pakistan)
- Absorbed many Persian
elements due to Muslim Persian
rulers
– Karnatak: temple music from
South India
- Developed along its own lines
India
Performers
Music viewed as a spiritual discipline
Oral tradition—study by apprenticeship
Improvisation
Very important, sophisticated, and developed
Guided by melodic and rhythmic formula
Must study for years before allowed improvise
India
Elements of Indian Classical Music
Music is based upon the human voice
– Pitch range limited to about four octaves
Highly embellished melody, both vocal and
instrumental, is characteristic
Melodies almost always accompanied by a drone
instrument
India
Learning Melodic Organization
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Moveable Syllables for Pitch Names
S
R
G
M
P
D
N
sa
re
ga
ma
pa
dha
ni
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
fixed
fixed
Melodic Structure: Raga
Melody exists within a framework called a raga—a
defined pattern of notes
– Each raga has an ascending and descending form
Raga means “color” or “atmosphere”
– The melody “colors the mind”
Each raga associated with a particular mood
– Also linked with gods, seasons, festivals, and times of day
India
Bhāva: Expression of the Navaras (9 Moods)
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karuna
shingār
vira
hāsya
raudrā
bhayānaka
vibhātsa
adbhuta
shānti
sadness, pathos
love, joy
heroism, valor
laughter, comedy
anger
fear
disgust
surprise
peace
Thaats: Ten Basic Scales
Natalie Sarrazin. Indian Music for the Classroom, p. 36-37.
Learning Rhythmic Organization
Number of Beats
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Syllables (Jātīs)
ta
taka
takita
takadimi
taka takita
taka takadimi
takita takadimi
takita takita taka
Taka takita takadimi
Grouping
2+3
2+4
3+4
3+3+2
2+3+4
Song Text Categories
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Devotional texts: Dhrupads and Bhajans
 From Bhakti era, mostly between 1400-1700
Love Songs, both human and divine
All remaining songs, including regional songs,
film music and songs of daily activity
Listening: Devotional Song
Mirabei (1498-1547), best known poet, ex. CD track 13
Maine lino Govinda mol māyi ri
I have measured the worth Krishna, O my sister
Koi kahe sasta, koi kahe mahenga
Some say cheap, others expensive,
Maine lino taraja tol . . .
I weighed him against pure gold.
Koi kahe chori, koi kahe sāni
Some say it’s a secret, some say hidden,
Maine lino bajantā dhola . . .
I proclaim him out loud like a drum.
Rhythmic Structure: Tala
Rhythm is organized into blocks or cycles, each
called a tala
– Tala range from 3-100 beats in length
- 6-16 is most common
– Ten-beat tala jhaptal divided 2—3—2—3
|1 2 |3 4 5 |6 7 |8 9 10|
– Ten-beat tala shultal divided 4—2—4
|1 2 3 4 |5 6 |7 8 9 10|
India
Instruments
Vocal music most important in India
Many types of instruments
– Many instruments associated with specific gods
Sitar most popular chordophone
– Long necked, lute (guitar) like instrument
– 7 plucked strings, 9-13 sympathetically vibrating
Drums of many sizes
– Tabla and mridangam drums most common
India
Ravi Shankar—sitar
Tambura
Tabla
India
Listening
Maru-Bihag
Ravi Shankar
Listen for: Raga and tala organization
Heavy reliance on stringed instruments
Extensive improvisation
Nonwestern musical form
India