Transcript Indian music – Unit 5: World Music

5E Indian Instruments – Unit 5: World
Music
♫ 5E Indian Instruments ♫
Unit 5: World Music
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For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation
Flash activity. These activities are not editable.
Composing
activity
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Listening
activity
Performing
activity
Teacher’s notes included in the Notes Page
Sound
Accompanying
worksheet
Weblink
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Learning objectives
To understand the look, sound and role of some key
instruments used in Indian music.
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The sitar
One of the main solo instruments used in Indian classical
music is the sitar.
A sitar can have over 30 strings.
Some of the strings are used to
play the melody. Underneath
these are sympathetic strings
which create a thicker texture.
The gourd-like bottom of
the sitar is a chamber that
helps the sound to
resonate.
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A sitar has
moveable frets
that allow for
very fine tuning.
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Sarod and sarangi
Two other stringed instruments are sometimes used in
Indian music. These are the sarod and the sarangi.
The sarod is similar to
the sitar. It also has two
sets of strings, but it is
fretless.
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The sarangi is
played with a bow.
It is also fretless.
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The tanpura
The tanpura is a drone instrument which accompanies
the soloist. It looks quite similar to a sitar, but it has no
frets and only four strings.
A simple rhythmic pattern is played on the tanpura,
and the drone is usually based around Sa and Pa,
although there can be variations.
Press play to hear what a tanpura sounds like.
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The tabla
The tabla provide the rhythmical accompaniment in the gat or
bandish section. Tabla players improvise extensively around
the tala being used, and can create a wide range of sounds.
Dayan
is the
highpitched
drum, and
is played
with the
right hand
Bayan
is the lowpitched drum,
and is played
with the left
hand.
Press play to listen
to an example.
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Bols
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Other instruments
The bansuri, the shenhai and the harmonium are other
instruments often used for raga performance.
The bansuri is a wooden flute.
Depending on the size, it can
have six or seven holes.
The shenhai is a double-reed
instrument similar to the oboe,
but has holes rather than keys.
The harmonium is a European instrument
that has been developed to include Indian
drone reeds.
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Raga quiz
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