Notes for Indian Music

The Northern and Southern Traditions

The Indian music tradition is divided into the North ( Hindustani ) and South Indian ( Karnatic ) traditions.

Some instruments of the Hindustani tradition:
- Seetha ( or Sitar )
- Tabla
- Serangi
- Sarut.

Some instruments of the Karnatic tradition:
- Violin ( An European-based instrument. It is played when the musician is seated )
- Flute
- Veena
- Redangam.
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Instrumental Classification

The 4 key instruments are: Sitar / Harmonium / Tabla / Violin

The Aerophonic instruments -
- The Harmonium is an European-based instrument.
- The Bansuri is a 6-hole flute.
- The Venu is an 8-hole flute.
- The Nadaswaran is a 9-hole flute.

The Chordophonic instruments -
- The Sarod
- The Seetha ( or Sitar )
- Tambura
- Veena

The Membranophonic instruments -
- Tabla ( played mainly or only by male musicians )
- Pakhwaj
- Kanjira
- Mridangam ( played mainly or only by male musicians )

An Idiophonic instrument -
- Ghatam
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Raga, Talla and others

The Raga and Talla are the 2 basic elements in Indian music:
1) The Raga refers to the basic scalic system used.
2) The Talla refers to the fixed number of beats of each cycle used.

- Indian music expresses 9 fundamental moods.

- It corresponds also to the different times of the day.

- Sruti refers to the musical note sustained throughout a phrase. This is specially used in the Karnatic tradition.
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The Sitar

The Sitar is a 20-string instrument.

It has 7 main strings. They are used to play the main melodic phrases.

The other strings are known as "Sympathetic Strings". They are used to play the embellishments or ornamentation of the piece.

The "mizraab" is attached to the Index and Pinky fingers to play the Sitar.

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The Tabla

It is made up of two drums known as the Bayan and the Dayan.

The Bayan is made of wood while the Dayan is made of metal.

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Transmission-teaching

Traditionally, the teaching and learning Indian music is taught in a "Guru-Disciple" context.