Sitar Scale and Raga Vocabulary

Vocabulary and technical terms related to the Sitar scale, raga structure, and Indian classical music performance as discussed in the lecture notes.

Gourd

The part of the sitar made from a real pumpkin.

Curvature of frets

A feature of the sitar that allows for meen and embellishments.

Small pegs

Pegs on the sitar used for the sympathetic strings.

Large pegs

Pegs on the sitar used for the main strings over the large bridge.

Jawari

The process where a luthier sands or files down the bridge to change pitch, curvature, or get the right sound.

Raga

A piece of music or mode characterized by directionalities, compositions (guths), and a particular set of emotions or colors.

Vadi

The emphasis note in a raga.

Samvadi

The second emphasis note in a raga.

Sargam

The term for a musical scale.

Arohi

The ascending direction of a scale.

Avrohi

The descending direction of a scale.

Comal

The word used for a flat note.

Shud ma

The natural 4th note or natural ma.

Teevra ma

The sharp 4th note or sharp ma.

Shruti

Microtones that bring the number of notes from 12 to 22.

Dhrupad

A style of music that uses a lot of shrutis.

Garana

A stylistic school of music.

Alap

A solo section of a raga focused on note exploration.

Jor

The section of a raga that introduces a pulse.

Jhala

A rhythmic pattern using chikari strings that also serves as the ending of a piece.

Guth

A composition where the musicians play together.

Taans

Fast runs that are improvised and played within the guth.

Thala

The rhythm cycle.

Pakar

Catchphrases within the musical structure.

Chalan

A longer musical phrase.

Gayaki ang style

A vocal style of playing.

Bandish

A vocal composition or style.

Vishtar

Expansion of a note achieved by pulling the string.

Barhat

The progression through the raga.