|
As mentioned in earlier lessons, we have assumed the first white key to
be the Sa (S), for convenience and convention, simplicity and uniformity.
"The first white key" explained: You will find that there are sets of 5
black keys on the keyboard. Each set of those 5 black keys is made up of 2
+
3 black keys. The first white key is that white key which lies immediately
to the left of the first black key. Since there are several sets of 5
black
keys, there will also be several "first white" keys. You may select the
first white key lying in the middle of the keyboard.
You are going to use only your left hand to play the harmonium. The leftt
hand fingers are numbered as follows:
The thumb is numbered 1
The index finger is 2
The middle finger is 3
The ring finger is 4
The little finger is 5.
In Lesson 4b, we have dealt with our first scale: Bilawal. The scale is
called "thaat" in Indian music.
In this lesson, we will take up two more scales (thaat-s), called Khamaj
and
Kafi respectively.
First, Khamaj thaat. It differs from the Bilawal thaat in only one
respect:
Khamaj has 'komala' Ni (flat Ni), which is represented by the small letter
"n". Which fingers play which notes of the Khamaj thaat? The arrangement
is: [The finger numbers under the notes of the scale]
S R G m P D n S' [Ascending]
5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 [Finger numbers]
S' n D P m G R S [Descending]
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 [Finger numbers]
So, in Khamaj thaat, the second finger (the index finger) will play the
Fifth black key (instead of the 7th white key).
Second, Kafi thaat. It differs from the Bilawal thaat in that Kafi has
'komala' Ni (flat Ni), which is represented by the small letter "n"; and
it
has 'komala' Ga (flat Ga), which is represented by the small lettr "g".
Which fingers play which notes of the Khamaj thaat? The arrangement is:
[The finger numbers under the notes of the scale]
S R g m P D n S' [Ascending]
5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 [Finger numbers]
S' n D P m g R S [Descending]
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 [Finger numbers]
So, in Kafi thaat, the second finger (the index finger) will play the
Fifth
black key (instead of the 7th white key); and the third finger (the MIDDLE
finger) will play the 2nd black key (instead of the third white key).
[continued to Lesson 6b]
|
Online Store
