1. GCSE Music Revision 2014 Area of Study 4: Rag Desh

2. Indian Music: Context & Background A long history lasting over 2000 years Close links with Hinduism & Indian philosophy Many Hindu gods are worshiped through performance of raga (Indian melody) The god Shiva is associated with music & dance This set work is taken from the Indian Classical Tradition of Northern India

3. Rag Desh: The Oral Tradition Indian music is not written down – music is learnt through listening & playing by ear Skills are passed on through generations of a family through a system known as gharana Indian music is always learnt via a master – pupil system

4. Rag Desh: Elements of a raga Melody – improvised from notes of a particular rag. Sung by a voice or played by instrument Drone – a supporting “drone” usually of one or two notes provided by the tambura Rhythm – a repetitive, cyclic rhythm pattern played by the tabla drums

5. Rag Desh: The Rag The rag is the set melody on which the music is improvised (think of it as a cross between a selection of pitches and a scale) There are over 200 different rags in existence, each has a particular mood The chosen rag will be used as the musical material in a full raga performance

6. Rag Desh: Rhythm & Drone accompaniment The rag melody is always supported by a supportive drone – usually the tonic & dominant notes The drone adds to the texture The rhythm is provided by small tabla drums (below Rhythmic cycles are known as the tala, the most common is called the teental, made up of 16 matras (beats) The first beat of a cycle is known as sam

7. Rag Desh: The Sitar Seven principal strings Two strings used as drone notes Sympathetic strings are loose fretted strings which vibrate when the top strings are plucked Meend – the technique of sliding between notes or interval Tan – playing rapid scale like melodies

8. Rag Desh: Structure SectionTempoRhythmMusical Elements Alap Slow & MeditativeNo sense of metre Soloists explores the notes of the rag, setting the mood Music is improvised Lack of regular pulse, rhythmically free Jhor Steady (medium tempo) A real sense of pulse Improvised music becomes more rhythmic Music becomes more elaborate as tempo increases Jhalla Fast & LivelyFast pulse with exciting and complex rhythms High point in piece Virtuoso display using advanced playing techniques Gat/Bandish Moderate - fastTabla introduces the tala Prepared solo is introduced Dialogue between drummer & instrumentalist