1. Classical Music of India Musical traditions date back over 3,000 years –Hindustani: secular, court music from Northern India (including Pakistan) –Karnatak: temple music from South India -Absorbed many Persian elements due to Muslim Persian rulers Two main types of classical music -Developed along its own lines India

2. Performers Music viewed as a spiritual discipline Oral tradition—study by apprenticeship India Improvisation Very important, sophisticated, and developed Guided by melodic and rhythmic formula Must study for years before allowed improvise

3. Elements of Indian Classical Music Music is based upon the human voice Melodies almost always accompanied by a drone instrument –Pitch range limited to about four octaves Highly embellished melody, both vocal and instrumental, is characteristic India

4. Learning Melodic Organization Moveable Syllables for Pitch Names Moveable Syllables for Pitch Names SsaCfixed RreD GgaE MmaF PpaGfixed DdhaA NniB

5. Melodic Structure: Raga Melody exists within a framework called a raga—a defined pattern of notes –Each raga has an ascending and descending form –The melody “colors the mind” Raga means “color” or “atmosphere” Each raga associated with a particular mood –Also linked with gods, seasons, festivals, and times of day India

6. Bhāva: Expression of the Navaras (9 Moods) karunasadness, pathos karunasadness, pathos shingārlove, joy shingārlove, joy viraheroism, valor viraheroism, valor hāsyalaughter, comedy hāsyalaughter, comedy raudrāanger raudrāanger bhayānakafear bhayānakafear vibhātsadisgust vibhātsadisgust adbhutasurprise adbhutasurprise shāntipeace shāntipeace

7. Thaats: Ten Basic Scales Natalie Sarrazin. Indian Music for the Classroom, p. 36-37.

8. Learning Rhythmic Organization Number of BeatsSyllables (Jātīs)Grouping 1ta 2taka 3takita 4takadimi 5taka takita2 + 3 6taka takadimi2 + 4 7takita takadimi3 + 4 8takita takita taka3 + 3 + 2 9Taka takita takadimi2 + 3 + 4

9. Song Text Categories Devotional texts: Dhrupads and Bhajans Devotional texts: Dhrupads and Bhajans From Bhakti era, mostly between 1400-1700 From Bhakti era, mostly between 1400-1700 Love Songs, both human and divine Love Songs, both human and divine All remaining songs, including regional songs, film music and songs of daily activity All remaining songs, including regional songs, film music and songs of daily activity

10. 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 Koi kahe chori, koi kahe sāni Some say it’s a secret, some say hidden, Maine lino bajantā dhola... Maine lino bajantā dhola... I proclaim him out loud like a drum.

11. 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

12. Instruments Vocal music most important in India Many types of instruments –Many instruments associated with specific gods Sitar most popular chordophone Drums of many sizes –Long necked, lute (guitar) like instrument –7 plucked strings, 9-13 sympathetically vibrating –Tabla and mridangam drums most common India

13. Tabla Tambura Ravi Shankar—sitar India

14. Listening Maru-Bihag Ravi Shankar Listen for:Raga and tala organization Heavy reliance on stringed instruments Extensive improvisation Nonwestern musical form India