Lesson 8c - Musical Instruments and Musical Form

Musical Instruments (LO8.3)

Three principal instruments are used in performing Ragas.

Sitar

Sitar is the melody instrument in north Indian classical music. It is a plucked-stringed instrument with six main strings, movable frets, many side strings, and sympathetic strings. The main strings may also be pulled from side to side to create subtle pitch variations. The instrument is tuned before each piece to the raga which is to be played. The individual tied gut or nylon frets is used to facilitate the tuning.

Tabla

A picture of Tabla.

Tabla is a pair of hand drums that provide the rhythm. They are tuned to the main tones of the raga . The small one is called tabla. The large one is called baya. A virtuoso artist can draw a limitless variety of timbre and pitch from each drum.

Tambura

Tambura is a 4-or 5-string instrument. It is plucked in the open-string position only. The strings are tuned to the main tones of the raga, and provided a continuous drone accompaniment.

Musical Form (LO8.2)

Indian music is an example of continuity-oriented music. It tends to have few internal divisions. The traditional way of performing a raga is in three parts:

Alap: Alap is the opening section with no discernible pulse. In this section, the solo instrument accompanied by the tambura drone, slowly explores the notes of the raga with free improvisation.
Jor: Jor (Jhor) is the second section where the pulse is gradually established and is slightly faster.
Gat: Gat (Jhala) is the third section when the tabla player joins in and the tala is introduced. This section is usually fast and exciting, with the musicians passing rhythmic ideas back and forth to each other in their improvisations.

Read an article by Ravi Shankar, On Appreciation of Indian Classical Music. (LO8.2)

Quick Check (LO8.2)

Indian classical music is based on:

Melody and harmony

That's not correct. Try again.

Rhythm and counterpoint

That's not correct. Try again.

Melody and rhythm

That's correct. Great job!

Harmony and chords

That's not correct. Try again.

Rhythm and modulations

That's not correct. Try again.

Check Answer