GCSE Music Rhythms of the World - Indian Classical Music

Flashcards on Indian Classical Music based on GCSE MUSIC RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD Knowledge Organiser notes.

What two elements form the basis of an Indian Classical Music performance?

A RAGA (scale) and a TALA (rhythm).

What is added to the RAGA and TALA by performers?

Considerable IMPROVISATION and ORNAMENTATION.

What are TALAS?

Cyclic/repeating rhythm patterns played by the TABLA.

What is the most popular TALA and how many beats does it have per cycle?

TINTAL - 16 beats per cycle.

Name the three basic layers to the texture of Indian Classical Music.

MELODY, DRONE, and RHYTHM.

Which instruments are used for MELODY?

Voice, Sitar, Sarangi, Bansuri, Esraj or Sarod.

Which instruments are used for DRONE?

Tanpura or Harmonium.

Which instrument is used for RHYTHM?

Tabla.

How many parts are in the texture of the opening three sections of a Raga performance?

2-PART TEXTURE (melody and drone).

How many parts are in the Gat section of a Raga performance?

3-PART TEXTURE (melody, drone, and Tabla).

When did Indian Classical Music develop, and where?

Around 1700 BC, in temples and royal palaces.

How were Ragas and Talas traditionally learnt?

By the ORAL TRADITION, through a Master-Student tradition.

What aspect of life is an important part of Indian Classical Music?

Spirituality (Hinduism).

What are RAGAS based on?

Patterns of notes with strict rules about usage.

What are RAGAS associated with?

A particular time of day or night or season and different MOODS.

What notation is used to write down RAGAS?

SARGAM notation.

Describe the Alap.

Slow and free unmetred rhythm with no recognisable beat or pulse.

Describe the Jhor.

Speeds up and becomes more rhythmic.

Describe the Jhala.

Further increase in tempo and greater sense of metre.

Describe the Gat.

Very fast tempo with complex rhythms.

What is sometimes added by performers during a performance?

TEMPO RUBATO.

Where can Indian Classical Music now be heard?

Available via the internet (YouTube) and heard at cinema, radio and live concerts and in jazz, pop and rock.

How do dynamics generally change throughout a Raga performance?

Increase gradually throughout starting softly (p) during the ALAP and JHOR with a gradual CRESCENDO in the JHALA and very loud at the end.

What are the four sections of a Raga?

ALAP, JHOR, JHALA, and GAT (BANDISH).

Name three artists, bands, or performers of Indian Classical Music.

Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, Alla Rakha