East Indian Music Classical Elements and Forms

Exploring Pathways of Appreciation

To foster an awareness and appreciation of music by listening and coming to appreciate how the diverse application of shared elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, texture and form gives rise to such diverse expressive pathways showcasing an inner beauty of the human spirit.

Here are links to music performances showing diverse styles and performance as voiced around the world; each expressing a component part of a global diverse counterpoint of cultural contrast. Enjoy yourself and do check on the links.

Without support from authoritive references this site would not be possible.

In Counterpoint of Cultural Contrast

East Indian music.

The origin of Indian music is said to be rooted in the Vedas. It is said that God Himself is musical sound, the sound which pervades the whole universe, i.e. Nadabrahma. The origins of Indian music are therefore considered divine. It is said that the musician has to cultivate an attitude of self abandonment, in order to fuse with the Supreme Reality, Brahma.
-Ravi Shankar

"If you practice for ten years, you may begin
to please yourself, after twenty years you

may become a performer and please an audience,
after thirty years you may please even your
guru, but you must practice for many more years
before you finally become a true artist -- then
you may please even God. "

-Ali Akbar Khan

Much of what is taught in Western music theory and ear training is inadequate. The ultra-fined-tuned melodic embellishments requiring perfect interval based tuning is different from the well-tempered system Western/European musicians have become accustomed to. Also, relatively simplistic time signatures such as 4/4, 3/4 can become an encumbrance when attempting to realise the developmental varied syncopations heard between both rhythm and melody performance.

Listen to these selections showing the richness of melodic texture and complex rythmic dialogue which is such a hallmark of this music.

It is through the medium of the arts that people of different nations and backgrounds are able to communicate and understand each other better. The West is becoming more familiar with Indian music - it is no longer merely an exotic expression of the East, but is reaching an ever growing and more knowledgeable and appreciative audience. For more see: http://www.indianmelody.com/musicintro2.htm

Here is a good basic introduction to Indian music: http://www.lucaspickford.com/india.htm

Ravi Shankar gives an introduction to its history and philosophy: http://www.cosmopolis.ch/english/music/64/indian_classical_music.htm

More on Ragas and Western Scales: link to: http://www.lucaspickford.com/ragas.htm

A different dimension of vocal technique

Listen as the the singer carefully tunes and aligns the voice to blend in with and find expression through minute controlled change of inflection and tone. Acuity of nuance, pitch with subtle shadings of consonant/ dissonant intervals is breathtaking.

For more see:

Violin playing: as adopted by the Hindustani method

For more see:

hindustani classical violin recital by vinayak seth

Scale Elements as used around the world

There are many different scales, melodic scales and different treatments of the pitches of a scale in music. A very easy example is the melodic minor (aolian based) scale where the 6th and 7th interval is raised a half step in the ascending form but is lowered to the natural pitch in descending.

Indian music uses many different melodic treatments of scales in very unique and beautiful ways. The video to the right is a nice illustration.

Normally, vibrato is little heard in Hindustani music. The minute inflections of this art form would be obliterated by it

This video gives good examples of working with an Indian music scale.

The video below shows exercises aiding one to perform a particular Raga. As you will hear, the use of the intervals in this Phrygian modal sound ("E" to "E" played on the white keys of the piano) is exotic sounding compared to Western music traditional ear training. Many more subtle variations abound in this music.

Learn a raga entitled "Bhairavi" that can be performed as part of the Hindustani vocal music tradition in this free online video voice lesson on the traditional Indian singing style.

Expert: Amelia Maciszewski
Contact: www.sangeetmillennium.org.com
Bio: Amelia Maciszewski has a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology, and has been performing Hindustani music for over 20 years.

Here are two full length Ragas as played by Ravi Shankar. The first is Raga_Marwa and the second is Raga_Mishra_Piloo Both Ragas are about 40 minutes long. This form constitutes the highest development of classic form in Indian music. The melodic intricate weaving of disonance and consonance in dialogue with the complex rythms and accents of the tabla combine to create an audio experience unlike any other. Musicians spend many years mastering the challenging disciplines and techniques involved in this highly intuitively interpretated, improvised; yet highly structured music form.

Note: These Ragas are played as audio only mp3 files. Let the music speak for itself.

Note: This site on "Global Music Appreciation" is a work in progress. Thie main purpose of being online at this point of development is to allow collaborators and friends to view the progress, make suggestions and provide comments.

You may find "scratch notes" concerning future implementaion of goals. Pages will still be partially complete or even blank.

Yet, there is still an ever-evolving growing selection of music from around the world linked too in this site. You are welcome to look, play and experience music as performed from around the world.

Sincerely

David