Friday, July 3, 2020

Things Good to Know

This is a glossary of terms used in Indian Classical Music. You will hear these terms at times in the audios on this blog. A thorough understanding of these concepts is a prerequisite for learning Indian Classical Music. On this blog, we are not going to delve deep into these theoretical aspects of Indian Classical Music. This blog is only for the music students, novices and beginners. Hence, we will spend more time on actual lessons and practical aspects of singing.

Definition of Swar: Swar is nothing but a musical note. There are seven Standard Notes in Indian Classical Music as given below. We call these notes as "Shuddha Swar".

Shuddha Swar: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni.
They are also called Shadja, Rishabh, Gandhar, Madhyam, Pancham, Dhaivat and Nishad respectively.

Komal Swar: Out of these seven swars, Re Ga Dha and Ni become "Komal" when their frequency is lower than their Shuddha form. Their place on the keyboard or on harmonium is one note previous to their Shuddha Swar's note. We denote komal swars on this blog by marking a (k) in front of them.

Teevra Swar: Among the seven basic swars, only one, that is, Ma becomes Teevra when its frequency is higher than its Shuddha form and its place next to its Shuddha swar's place on the keyboard or on the harmonium. We denote teevra swars on this blog by marking a (t) in front of them.

Therefore the sequence of these 12 swars including their Shuddha, Komal and Teevra forms is
Sa   Re(k)   Re   Ga(k)   Ga   Ma   Ma(t)   Pa   Dha(k)   Dha   NI(k)   Ni   SA

Notation Used on This Blog for denoting different Swar: In the notations we have used on this blog, we are showing Komal swar by marking (k) and Teevra by marking (t) next to the swar's symbol.

Saptak: is a group seven prominent notes on a keyboard or harmonium. There are three main Saptaks on a harmonium. The lower saptak is called Mandra or Kharjaa Saptak(which is the group of seven prominent notes in the left most part of the harmonium), the middle Saptak is called Madhya Saptak(which is the group of seven prominent notes in the middle part of the harmonium) and the upper Saptak is called Taar Saptak (which is the group of seven prominent notes in the rightmost part of the harmonium).

On this blog, we are using capital letters to show the swars from Taar Saptak where the frequencies are higher than normal or Madhya Saptak. We are showing small letters to show Mandra or Kharjaa saptak (frequencies are lower than normal or Madhya Saptak).




_______________________________________________________________________________

Definition of Taal: Taal is nothing but Rhythm in English. There are many types of Taal used in Indian Classical Music. Some examples of Taal used in the lessons on this blog are:
Ektaal: A cycle of 6 beats for Madhya Laay (Medium speed rhythm)
             and
             A cycle of 12 beats for Thaay Laay (slow rhythm).
Tritaal: A cycle of 8 beats for Madhya Laay (Medium speed rhythm)
             and
             A cycle of 16 beats for Thaay Laay (slow rhythm).
Zaptaal: A cycle of 10 beats

Taal can be used at varying speed based on the requirement of the singer. We are using Madhya Lay Taal (Medium Speed Rhythm) for almost all the lessons.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Definition of Raag: is presented by an artist using the following 4 things in the rhythm chosen by the singer.
1) The kind of swars included in each Raag are unique (e.g. Shuddha, Komal, Teevra.)
2) How those swars are used in ascending structure which is called as Aaroh and in descending structure which is called as Avaroh.
3) The most prominent swar in the Raag is called Vaadi (वादी). Second most prominent swar in the Raag is called Samvaadi (संवादी).
4) The Mukhada (face) or Pakad is a cluster of a few notes by which Raaga is recognizable.

50 comments:

  1. This was really good to know, great help for the like minded people.

    Thank you for putting all this together. Will definitely make use of this sometime.

    Ganesh
    Chicago

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very helpful & encouraging

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think this is one of its kind initiative in teaching online music free of cost.Thanks a lot for this. Words are not enough to say thanks to you and entire team behind this.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't know how to thank you for this blogspot, I am learner and just started learning playing Harmonium, I shall be highly obliged if I get more and more knowledgeable materials,

    Narendra

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing your music knowledge. Very well organised, and presented.

    Vanita

    ReplyDelete
  6. Excellent contribution! I just hope more people spread their musical knowledge to the world!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Too good. I am just learning and you have made it very simple. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  8. i wondered everywhere but now i found a place where can i get basic knowledge of HCM

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very good and helpful for someone who loves formal music and want to practice and enjoy it in leisure and isolation. It is a new found treasure to me.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very useful, thanks for your efforts putting this together!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks alot Mam...this really helped me understand and clear my basics....
    I'm learning Indian classical Violin since one year now, but the text books were in hindi, which i could not clear my doubts well, reading these basic facts, it really helped me.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Superb...thanks for information..

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you so much, This is one of the best blog for Sargam/ music..... Full of great information..... Really appreciate and greatful

    ReplyDelete
  14. came by chance across your blog, cannot thank you enough for making it easy to learn, GOD BLESS

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's a great help to each and every soul who wants to learn Music right from basics hence I would like to thank you Madam for this incredible gift to everyone. Regards

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks a lot.. Keep it up... this is very valuable useful nd easy to understand for all.. I feel lucky dat i got this blogspot

    ReplyDelete
  17. The basics of hindustani music is very simply and clearly explained. Thanks for sharing this.

    We want more such stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for the valuable information...Gratitude.

    ReplyDelete
  19. thanks for great information for beginners as well professionals.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very easy and good explanation indeed for the music lover like me. Thanks a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks to the whole team for presenting the basics essense of the Humongous Indian Classical Domain in such a layman's Terms! Dhanyawad

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is awesome collection.

    I am bansuri student. The notations help me a lot.

    Please add more ragas to this collection.

    Appreciate your greatly.

    ReplyDelete
  23. First day o mine towards music basics, feeling great

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is for my son.. he is learning mridungam .. but i dont have music training.. this site helped a lot to show me light into the world of music.. thanks a lot for ur efforts.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you very very much for this blog...really amazed by ur work...and will appreciate if it is continued..

    ReplyDelete
  26. Very easy to understand. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks so very much for this usefulinformation.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you very much! Your effort is very much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Excellent- very important basic knowledge to understand Indian classical music
    Thx

    ReplyDelete
  30. Music is not only a hobby but it is also a remedy for various health Issues. If you want to learn music, go for it.
    Music School In Delhi
    Piano Classes In Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great job for publishing such a nice article. Your article isn’t only useful but it is additionally really informative. Thank you because you have been willing to share information with us. Really enjoyed this blog post.Really thank you! Really Great.
    Learn Harmonium

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks for the efforts taen to explain the Basic definitions in simple language.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thans fo the efforts taken to expkain the basic definitions in a simple language.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Tula's International School is the best Dehradun boarding schools for girls & boys. It is one of the top schools in Dehradun.The school is affiliated to CBSE which offers holistic education to students.

    Tula's International School Best Boarding School in Dehradun

    ReplyDelete
  35. Eumaxindia specializing in Radio Advertising like suryan fm,redfm,big92.7fm,radio city,hello106.4fm.we are provides all types of online radio advertising.

    Radio advertising Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  36. Aw, this was a really good post. Finding the time and actual effort to generate a superb content… but what can I say. If you want to get more information on Best DJ Lights Guide, you can always visit us. Anyone can become a DJ, with the perfect guidance and mentorship. Being a DJ is also cool as they are always into a party with the best dj lights and a best fog machines. Nowadays, the trend of best laser lights is also at its peak.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Great article, valuable and excellent article, lots of great information, thanks for sharing wonderful writeup with peoples.
    You can also check - home tutions in jabalpur

    ReplyDelete
  38. Deeply Appreciate your efforts for explaining basics...

    ReplyDelete
  39. Sonorous Music is right time to take your admission in Best Music Classes In Hyderabad. Sonorous provide online music classes with a professional musician with 5+ yrs of playing experience. Feel free to contact us for more details - 09154039250.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thank you so much for the information. I am a beginner and this really helped me a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  41. The price of the solution. Call center solutions india can range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars per month. Make sure you get a good value for your money.

    ReplyDelete