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Exploring Indian Raga Melodies: Structure and Features

Learn the essence of Indian Raga, its sections, and elements through a detailed analysis. Discover the melody, drone, and rhythm components that shape over 200 unique Rags. Dive into examples of Rag Desh by renowned artists Anoushka Shankar, Chiranji Lal Tanwar, and Steve Gorn & Benjy Wertheimer. From the Alap to the fast-paced Gat segments, grasp the improvisation, fixed compositions, and intricate rhythms that define the captivating realm of Indian ragas.

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Exploring Indian Raga Melodies: Structure and Features

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  1. Area of Study 4 Indian Raga!

  2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES • By the end of the lesson you will be able to: • Understand the structure of an Indian Raga • Explain the key features in the music • Understand the rough analysis of the different Raga’s

  3. INDIAN RAGA What you need to know about Indian Raga : • RAGA – Indian scale/melody • It is learnt through Oral Tradition • A raga is in 4 sections – Alap, Jhor, Jhalla, Gat/ Bandish • There are 3 elements –Drone(played by Tambura),Raga – (melody played by Sitar) and theTala – (rhythm played by Tabla)

  4. RAGA SCALE - learn it!!!

  5. THE PROGRESSION…

  6. THE THREE ELEMENTS • The Melody: • This is the set melody on which the music is improvised • It is a cross between pitch and a scale – however the pitches often differ in each direction • The notes in a Rag vary – some have 5 notes like a pentatonic scale whilst others have 7 or 8 notes • There are over 200 different Rags! • The Drone: • The drone is a replacement for a real sense of harmony like Western Music • The notes are usually the Tonic and Dominant (I – V) of a chosen Rag • It keeps a sense of tuning/ intonation as a reference point for the melodic parts • The sound adds texture to the whole piece • Rhythm: • The Tabla drums gives repeated rhythmic cycles called Tala • The rhythm patterns (bols) are independent of the beat and can be inventive – creating syncopation • They must however start and end precisely on the first beat of the cycle (called Sam)

  7. Analysis of the Rag Desh • Rag Desh: The Rainy Season Raga, played at night • Gives the feeling of romance and devotion • Rag Desh by Anoushka Shankar • It is made up of an ALAP and two different GATS • You can hear the different techniques Shankar uses in the Alap: • Strums • Plucks • Bends notes • The first Gat uses 10 beats tala - Jhaptal, at a medium tempo: madhyalaya • The second Gat uses 16 beat tintal tala, faster tempo: drut

  8. Rag Desh by Chiranji Lal Tanwar • Use of voice to sing the Raga • There is an ALAP and BANDISH section • Alap: • The sitar improvises using note of the raga over a tamura drone, joined by a sarangi • The singer uses a lot of vibrato • The tal used is the 8 beat Keherwa Tal • Bandish: • Fixed composition • Vocals are more elaborate • Tempo increases, music becomes fast and exciting

  9. Rag Desh by Steve Gorn & Benjy Wertheimer • More traditional raga structure - There is an ALAP and two GATS • Alap: • Improvise using the notes of the Rag Desh • Drone from Tambura Drone • The section is slow and flowing - no specific pulse • Gat 1: • Steady rhythm • Faster than the Alap • Gat 2: • A lot faster • The Tabla plays fast complicated rhythms • Melody more structured

  10. Exam type questions… • All three pieces start with an alap section. Name three characteristics of this opening section of a raga • What is the ‘fixed composition’ and where is it to be found in the raga? • Name two other sections of a full raga performance • Describe two features of the rhythm in all three versions

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