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Article: Voice Lesson 1: The Beginner's Guide
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| By Haresh Bakshi
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1.0 History
History of Indian music, lost in antiquity, is so interwoven with mythology
and legends, that it is surrounded by misconceptions and mystery. In spite
of this, Indian music has maintained it's characteristics in it's highly
developed melodic and rhythmic structure. Traditionally, the history of Indian
music is divided into three periods. They are:
[1] The Ancient period (6000 BC? to between 200 BC and 400 AD)
[2] The Medieval period (400 AD to 1500 AD)
[3] The Modern period (1500 AD onwards)
2.0 Concepts
2.1 Naada, shruti, swara [Musical sound or tone, microtone, note]
Naada is a musical sound. It is a series of regular vibrations in
a medium like air (as opposed to irregular vibrations, which would be heard
as noise). The frequency of a vibration decides the pitch of the sound
it represents (how high or low the sound feels to the ear). The frequency
is reported in a unit called Hertz (Hz). The frequency range of a sound
the human ear can hear is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
Now, as an example, take a sound (or tone) having a frequency of 100 Hz.
Another sound, having twice the frequency, that is, 200 Hz, will sound the
same. But it will sound 'higher'. The frequency ratio 200:100,
which is 2:1, represents what is called an octave. The number of sounds
that the human ear can hear, in an octave, is infinite. But the number
of sounds that it can discern, differentiate, or grasp, is 22. They are called
shruti-s (microtones). Shruti has been variously translated as: microtone,
microtonic interval, interval, step etc. It is mainly determined through
fine auditory perception
So, to continue with our example, there exist 22 shruti-s, starting with
the first shruti on the starting point of 100 Hertz. Taking the sound
represented by 100 Hz as the point of reference, we get 22 ratios.
The 23rd ratio takes us to the sound represented by 200 Hz. These ratios
are called intervals. The intervals are measured in relation to the
reference sound (100 Hz in our example). The octave is represented by the
ratio 200:100, or the interval 2:1. This sound of reference is called
tonic, key, or "Sa", etc. In Indian musical terminology, it is known
as shadja, "Sa" for short. It is represented by the symbol S.
Out of the 22 shruti-s, 7 are selected to form a musical scale. The tonic
is fixed first, followed by 6 more shruti-s to form a 7-ladder scale.
These 7 sounds, or tones, are called swara-s (or notes). The tonic, in our
example, would fall on the sound represented by 100 Hz. This would
be our "Sa (S)". The Sa would be followed by 6 more notes, 7 in all.
The 8th note, the sound represented by 200 Hz, would sound like the tonic,
but it would sound "higher". The 7 notes form the "saptaka" of Indian
music; the 8 notes-- the eighth note being the "higher" Sa -- form the "octave"
of the Western music. The seven notes are named as follows:
shadja, "Sa" for short, symbol S; rishabha, "Re", R; gandhara, "Ga",
G; madhyama, "Ma", m; panchama, "Pa", P; dhaivata, "Dha", D; and the 7th,
nishada, "Ni", N.
For convenience, let us call the Western musical note, C, as our
tonic, the "Sa". Then the seven notes would be: C, the "Sa"; D, "Re";
E, "Ga"; F, "Ma"; G, "Pa"; A, "Dha"; and the 7th, B, "Ni".The first and the
fifth notes, namely C (Sa) and G (Pa), are regarded immutable ("achala").
The remaining 5 notes have two states each. Thus we have 12 notes in
an octave. The 12 notes are designated short names and symbols as under:
#
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Name
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Symbol
Indian
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Symbol
Western
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1
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Sa shuddha (natural)
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S
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C
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2
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Re komala (flat)
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r
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D flat
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3
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Re shuddha (natural)
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R
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D
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4
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Ga komala (flat)
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g
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E flat
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5
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Ga shuddha (natural)
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G
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E
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6
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Ma shuddha (natural)
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m
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F
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7
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Ma teevra (sharp)
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M
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F sharp
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8
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Pa shuddha (natural)
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P
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G
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9
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Dha komala (flat)
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d
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A flat
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10
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Dha shuddha (natural)
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D
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A
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11
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Ni komala (flat)
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n
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B flat
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12
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Ni shuddha (natural)
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N
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B
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The octave can be divided into two equal parts: the lower tetrachord,
consisting of C-D-E-F, and the upper tetrachord, made up of G-A-B-C.
This last-mentioned C has the interval 2:1 with the first C in the lower
tetrachord. The lower tetrachord is called "poorvaanga" (poorva + anga),
the upper tetrachord, "uttaraanga" (uttara + anga) in Indian musicology.
Further, Full expression of Indian music requires up to 3 octaves.
They are: the "mandra saptaka" (lower octave), the "madhya saptaka" (middle
octave), and the "taara saptaka" (higher octave). Note: The notes in
Western music use the tempered scale, while in Indian music the notes use
the natural harmonic scale.
2.2 Thaat [Scale]
A thaat (scale) is a 7-ladder scale, made up of 7 primary notes. A
thaat must contain all 7 notes, each in any one of the "shuddha", "komala",
or "teevra" state. The word thaat is synonymous with "mela". We have the
following 10 thaat-s, with their names and the included 7 notes in each:
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Thaat
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Notes
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1
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Bilawal
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S-R-G-m-P-D-N
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2
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Khamaj
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S-R-G-m-P-D-n
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3
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Bhairav
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S-r-G-m-P-d-N
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4
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Kafi
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S-R-g-m-P-D-n
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5
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Asavari
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S-R-g-m-P-d-n
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6
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bhairavi
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S-r-g-m-P-d-n
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7
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Kalyan
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S-R-G-M-P-D-N
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8
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Marva
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S-r-G-M-P-D-N
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9
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Poorvi
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S-r-G-M-P-d-N
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10
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Todi
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S-r-g-M-P-d-N
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11
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*Kirvani
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S-R-g-m-P-d-N
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* Added, being important as the harmonic minor scale.
Each Thaat is a group of seven notes from which raga-s have been formed (or
can be formed). The musicians perform raga-s, never thaat-s.
Note: The notes in Western music use the tempered scale, while in Indian
music the notes use the natural harmonic scale.
The names of these thaat-s happen to be the very names of raga-s, too.
But a thaat does not have any aesthetic value. So it is never performed.
On the other hand, a raga has aesthetic appeal, and is performed by musicians.
2.3 Raga [Sometimes translated as "Mode", though imperfectly]
The concept associated with the term" raga" is highly developed and complex.
It defies any definition or description. We can, at best, enumerate some
of the characteristics of the raga. Even then its concept eludes us.
The only way to grasp the concept of the raga is to listen to its development
over prolonged periods of time and repeatedly. It is like learning
a new language: However enjoyable, it requires consistent and continuous
effort. Let us take up some of the characteristics of the raga:
1. The raga must be aesthetically pleasing. It must delight the
heart of the listener. It must be capable of existing in its
own right, as an individual entity, with unique aesthetical value.
2. The development of a raga is. in principle, constant attainment
of aesthetic tensions, followed by resolutions, through various degrees of
sonance (consonance and dissonance). This is achieved by the use of
the permissible notes, singly or in combination, through the movements in
three octaves. There are regulations that govern these movements.
3. Basically, a raga is capable of being developed into an infinite
number of melodic patterns, following certain guidelines.
4. A raga should be capable of being classified into one of the thaat-s.
5. A raga cannot be formed out of less than 5 notes. "Sa" has to be
present as the reference note. Both "Ma" (the fourth) and "Pa" (the
fifth) cannot be simultaneously omitted from the raga. So, it must
have the following notes: SA; one of the Re or Ga; Ma or Pa; one of the Dha
or Ni, Further, if only one of the Ma/Pa is present, the raga must include
either both Re and Ga, or both Dha and Ni, so as to achieve a total of 5
notes.
5. It cannot include two states (out of the three possible states: shuddha,
komala, and teevra) of same note consecutively.
6. The raga must follow the time theory. This means that a raga
can be performed only at its stipulated time of the day (or night, or a season
of the year).
2.4 Classification of Raga-s
There are several ways in which a raga can be classified. The clasification
may be based on
(A) The number of notes which comprise the raga. We have three types: (i)
"audava", with 5 notes; (ii) "shadava", with 6 notes; (iii) "sampoorna",
with 7 notes.
(B) Tempo of movement. (i) "alapa-pradhana", if slow movement
brings out the characteristics of a raga better; (ii) "taana-pradhana", if
the raga sounds better in fast movement.
(C) The importance of the tetrachord in the development of the raga.
(i) "poorvanga-pradhana", if the development of the raga is more prominent
in the lower tetrachord; (ii) "uttaranga-pradhana", if the development of
the raga is more prominent in the upper tetrachord.
(D) Grammar and Syntax of the raga. (i) "shuddha" (uncontaminated);
(ii) "chhaya-laga", if it reminds the listener of another raga; (iii) "samkeerna",
if it is a mixture of many raga-s.
(E) Nature of its movements. (i) "satala", if its developmental movements
are straightforward and plain; (ii) if the movements are complex and zigzag.
2.5 The Defining Elements in the Raga
The following elements define the grammar, syntax and aesthetics of a raga:
(1) Graha. It used to be the starting note of a raga. It
has lost its significance in today's improvised style of singing.
(2) Amsha. It is the most frequently used note in a raga. This
term is not in use in today's music.
(3) Nyasa. It is the ending note in the performance of a raga.
Again, this term is not used much these days.
(4) to (8). Taara, mandra, apanyasa, sanyasa, vinyasa. These
terms are not in use any more.
(9) Alpatva. It indicates very little use of a note (or notes)
in a raga.
(10) Bahutva. It indicates very frequent use of a note (or notes)
in a raga. It is effected by either repeated use of a note, or by emphasing
and prolonging a note.
(11) Tirobhava. It means hiding the prominent features of a raga
when perfoming it.
(12) Avirbhava. It means highlighting the prominent features
of a raga when perfoming it. It is used to indiate showing the prominent
features of a raga again, after hiding it (in tirobhava).
(13) to (16). Vadi, samvadi, anuvadi, and vivadi. These are treated
separately in 2.6 below.
2.6 Vadi, Samvadi, Anuvadi, Vivadi [ Sonant, Consonant, Assonant,
Dissonant]
Vadi. It has been described as the King of the notes
occuring in a raga. It dominates the development of the raga, it is
accentuated, it is emphasised. The melodic patterns are woven around
the vadi. If it is located in "poorvanga"(the lower tetrachord), the
raga is developed with greater emphasis in the lower tetrachord, Similarly
for "uttaranga" (the upper tetrachord). See 2.4(C). Also, if
the vadi of a raga is located in the "poorvanga', that raga is performed
at any time except the morning. If the vadi of a raga is located in
the "uttaranga', that raga is performed in the morning.
Samvadi. It has been given importance next only to the
King (vadi). Samvadi also enjoys great importance in the development
of a raga. If the vadi of a raga is located in "poorvanga"(the lower
tetrachord), its samvadi will be located in the "uttaranga" (the upper tetrachord).
And vice versa.
The samvadi is always a fifth or a fourth in relation to the
vadi. The relationship of the fifth is called "shadja-panchama bhava".
The relationship of the fourth is called "shadja-madhyama bhava". Vadi-samvadi
relationships exemplify perfect consonance.
Anuvadi. The notes occuring in a raga, apart from the
vadi and the samvadi, are called anuvadi notes. They bring the number
of notes in the raga to atleast five. They help in creating aesthetic
tension, to be followed by resolution. (See 2.3, 2). Sometimes. an
anuvadi can have great importance, the same as, or next only to samvadi.
Such an anuvadi can be called "pranuvadi". Very often, an anuvadi acts
as the leading note, creating aesthetic tension, till it leads to "Sa" (especially
in higher octave), resolving the tension.
Vivadi. They are the notes which do not occur in a raga.
However, quite often, a vivadi is included, in a specific way, in the
develpoment of a raga. This is because a vivadi can embellish a raga
by making it sound exceptionally charming.
2.7 Aroha, avaroha [Ascending, Descending]
Aroha is the successively ascending notes of a raga, starting
on the tonic ("Sa"), and ending in the "Sa" in the higher octave.
Avaroha is the successively descending notes of a raga, starting
on the "Sa" in the higher octave.and ending on the tonic ("Sa"), it
is the opposite of aroha.
Aroha-avaroha indicate the notes comprising a raga. They are
useful in a very general way: they do not specify characteristics of
a raga. In fact, it is possible for two raga-s to have the same aroha-avaroha,
though the ragas may be totally different aesthetically.
2.8 Jaati-s of a raga [Classification of a raga]
As shown in 2.4 (A), a raga may be classified, based on the
number of notes it contains. Thus, we have three types: (i) "audava",
with 5 notes; (ii) "shadava", with 6 notes; (iii) "sampoorna", with 7 notes.
Depending on the number of notes in the aroha, and in the avaroha, we derive
the following nine theoretical classes:
(i) audava-audava: 5 notes in aroha, 5 in avaroha.
(ii) audava-shadava: 5 notes in aroha, 6 in avaroha.
(iii) audava-sampoorna: 5 notes in aroha, 7 in avaroha.
(iv) shadava-audava: 6 notes in aroha, 5 in avaroha.
(v) shadava-shadava: 6 notes in aroha, 6 in avaroha.
(vi) shadava-sampoorna: 6 notes in aroha, 7 in avaroha.
(vii) sampoorna-sampoorna: 7 notes in aroha, 7 in avaroha.
(viii) sampoorna-shadava: 7 notes in aroha, 6 in avaroha.
(ix) sampoorna-audava: 7 notes in aroha, 5 in avaroha.
2.9 Time Theory of Raga-s [Time of Performance]
According to the time theory, a raga can be performed only
at a particular time assigned to it, out of 24 hours of the day, or, in some
cases, a particular season of the year is assigned. It is not clear
why this is so; but the theory is strictly followed even today. See
2.4 (C). "poorvanga-pradhana" raga-s are sung during the time period
12 noon to 12 midnight. "uttaranga-pradhana" raga-s are sung during
the time period 12 midnight to 12 noon. In addition, each raga has
been assigned a particular "prahara" only in which it can be performed.
A "prahara" is 90 minutes.
Timewise, the raga-s are divided into the morning raga-s,
the midday/midnight raga-s, the twilight raga-s, and the night raga-s.
In this context, the following generalizations have been observed
(i) Raga-s with shuddha Re (D), Ga (E), Dha (A) and Ni (B)
are performed in the first quarter of morning or night.
(ii) Raga-s with komala Ga (E flat) and Ni (B flat) are performed
in the middle of the day or night.
(iii) Raga-s with Sa (C), Ma (F), and Pa (G) as prominent
notes, are performed in the last quarter of day or night.
(iv) Raga-s performed from afternoon till midnight, contian
teevra Ma (F sharp).
(v) The raga-s with komala Re (D flat) and Dha (A flat), are
performed at the twilight (morning as well as evening). Such
raga-s are called "sandhi-prakasha" raga-s. Also, they
often use both shuddha Ma (F) and teevra Ma (F sharp).
Note: There are two exceptions : On being ordered by a King, and when
learning from your Guru, you can perform any raga at any time.
2.10 Taal, Laya [Rhythm, Tempo]
Various terms associated with the rhythmic concept in Hindustani music are:
taal (rhythm), matra (beat), sama, khali, taali, khanda (division), avartana
(cycle), laya (tempo), Tempo types : vilambita (slow), madhya (moderate),
and druta (fast), bol (mnemonic sounds), and theka (basic cycle of bol-s).
Taala is a rhythmic cycle (avartana). It consists of a certain, fixed
number of beats (matra). A beat is the duration of silence between
the first and the next count. The count can be done by clapping, or
counting numbers, or saying the sounds of the bol. The number of beats varies
from one taal to another. Each taal has a name. For example,
the taal called Teental, is a cycle of 16 beats. On completion of 16 beats,
the counting starts again from 1 through 16. And so on. Counting
is done at a uniform, steady pace. If counting is slow, the resulting
tempo will be slow (vilambita laya). If counting takes place at a moderate
speed, the tempo will be moderate (madhya laya). Fast counting will
result in fast tempo (druta laya). The first beat of the rhythmic cycle
is the most important one. it is called the sama (pronounced like the
word "sum"). A little beyond half way, another important beat occurs.
It is called khali. It means "empty". it is so called because
it is assigned negative weight (taking something out). Taali means
clapping. It occurs at different place(s), depending upon the taal.
The cycle of a taal is divided into parts, each part is called a khand.
The bol-s of a taal are a set on mnemonic sounds. Some examples of
bol-s are: taa, naa, dhin, tin, dhaa, dhin,etc. They are the alphabets
-- about 15 in number -- of the language of taal. taal-s are played
on percussion instruments like the tabla and pakhavaj, Tabla is the
most popular percussion instrument.
We can repeatedly play the bol-s of a taal, in a plain, simple way.
Playing like this is called theka. Playing theka means playing just
plain bol-s of a taal, without any embellishments. In classical music,
teental, with its variations like Punjabi and Sitarkhani, is the most popular
taal. Some other taals played are: Ektaal, Jhaptal, Jhumra, and Tilwada.
The details:
| Taal |
# of Beats
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Teental
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16
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Jhaptal
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10
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Ektal
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12
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Jhumra
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14
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Tilwada
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16
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There are, of course, several other taal-s and several other percussion instruments.
The percussionist, for example, a tabla player, can play a taal by way of
accompaniment to a vocal or an instrumental performance. Or,
he can play it as a solo performance. In the two cases, the requirements
are very different. and so also the styles of performance. It is easy
to follow these differences, if we frequently listen to tabla accompaniment
and solo performances.
Some other popular taals, used commonly, are:
Name of the Taal
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Number of Beats
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Dadra
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6
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Khemta
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6
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Roopaka
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7
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Keharva
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8
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Bhajan
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8
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Deepchandi
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14
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| 3.0 Vocal Music
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| 3.1 Genres
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Every vocal performance is rendition of or based on some raag. However, there are several forms or genres of Hindustani classical singing. Each of them has a distinct identity and characteristics. Each one also requires certain exclusive skills to perform. A raag can be presented in any of these styles. Some popular genres of vocal classical music are described below :
| § Dhrupad
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An ancient style that is often used for religious or philosophical renditions. Dhrupad singers use syllables like Om, Nom, Tom etc. to develop the raag being performed. Dhrupad singing has its own special taals which are not used in other forms of vocal music, e.g., Chautala. Pakhawaj is used as percussion instrument to accompany a dhrupad performance, and not Tabla. Gamaks are used frequently in a dhrupad performance. There are four sub-styles of dhrupad, called four banis, e.g., Dagar-bani, Gauhar-bani, etc. Dhrupad is a dying art and there are very few remaining practitioners of it.
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| § Khayaal
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By far the most popular style of vocal classical singing in the present era. Khayaal singing involves presenting a lyrical composition in classical style. Most vocal performances these days fall in this category. Khayaal is of two kinds - chhota khayaal and bara khayaal. The former is a small composition sung at a medium or fast tempo, usually to the accompaniment of a percussion instrument. The latter is a longer rendition that allows deep exploration and gradual expansive development of the raag being performed. A typical vocal performance involves a bara khayaal follwed by a chhota khayaal in the same raag. Khayaal singing is typically accompanied by Tabla as the percussion instrument. Besides using a lyrical composition to present a raag, khayaal singing involves the various ornaments (taan, meend, etc.) using aakaar (using syllable aa for all swaras) or sargam (using consonents for the corresponding swaras, i.e., Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni).
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| § Tarana
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Tarana singing does not involve any lyrics but instead uses syllables like tana, deem, oder, dir, tadiyan, etc. A tarana performance is usually at a faster pace than Khayal or Dhrupad. The percussion instrument used to accompany taranasinging is Tabla.
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| § Thumri
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A light classical form of singing, usually set in Deepchandi taal (14 beats). Thumri singing usually involves lyrics with sentiments of lovers, like separartion, complaint, request etc.
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| 3.2 Stages of a typical vocal performance
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A typical vocal performance includes two broad stages – aalaap followed by bandish in the same raag. Aalaap is the act of illustrating and developing the raag using aakaar and/or sargam. Aalaap doesn’t require any words or lyrics. At this stage the artist explores the swaras of the raag and gradually develops phrases and patterns. Bandish is a composition, i.e., rendition of lyrics in a raag. Bandish is usually set to a particular beat (taal). The tempo (laya) of a bandish increases gradually from slow (vilambit) to medium (madhya) to fast (drut). Very slow and very fast tempos are called ati-vilambit and ati-drut respectively.
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| 4.0 Instrumental Music
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| 4.1 Stages Of A Typical Instrumental Performance
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A typical instrumental performance includes four broad stages – aalaap followed by jor followed by jhaala, and finally gat, in the same raag. Much like in vocal singing, Aalaap is the act of illustrating and developing the raag swar by swar, and then phrase by phrase. (To be completed…)
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| 5.0 Miscellaneous Terms
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Naad
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Sanskrit for sound.
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Ahad Naad
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Asound produced artificially, e.g., by striking, plucking, blowing,etc.
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Anaahad Naad
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The natural sound energy pervading the universe which is not audible to humanear.
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Harmony
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Whentwo or more notes are produced simultaneously and the combination sounds agreeable and pleasant. Indian classical music does not have the concept of harmony. Western classical music does.
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Melody
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A sequence of individual notes (not simultaneous) that sounds agreeable and pleasant. Indian classical music is melodic. Western classical music involves melody as well as harmony.
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Samvaadita
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When two swaras are produced simultaneously and the combination sounds agreeable and pleasant, it's called samvadita(consonance). Different combinations of swaras sound agreeable to varying degrees. The consonance of Sa and Sa (of two different saptaks) is the most agreeable and pleasant (highest concord), with Sa-Pa and Sa-Ma consonances following in descending order of concord.
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Tirobhaav
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The act of an artist constructing and dwelling on phrases or patterns of swaras technically allowed in the raag being performed but not usually performed in that raag. By emphasizing the unusual and rarely heard phrases, the artist is in a way hiding the known and popular character of the raag. Though theoritically permitted, this may result in audience not being able to identify the raag. Only well-accomplished artists, who are established authorities, usually attempt tirobhaav.
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Avirbhaav
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The act of an artist, having done tirobhaav for a while, returning to the known and characteristic phrases or patterns of theraag being performed. Tirobhaav having confused the audience, avirbhaav immediately gives them a sense of familiarity and identification of the raag. While tirobhaav hides the usual character of araag, avirbhaav brings it out. Tirobhaav not followed by avirbhaavis not generally prescribed.
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Nyaas-swar
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The act of halting or staying on aswarin a composition, before taking the next swar.
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Upaj
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When starting a performance, the artist presents the notes of the raag one by one, (using aakaar or sargam). The act of repeating and emphasizing aswarat this stage is called Upaj.
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Barhat
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When starting a performance, the artist presents the swaras of the raag (using aakaarorsargam). The act of slowly and gradually introducing the swaras one at a time while weaving and establishing characteristic patterns of the raagis called barhat. For instance, when performing raag Yaman, the artist may first dwell on only Madhya Sa and Mandra Ni. Then introduce Mandra Dha, and dwell on Sa, Ni and Dha for a while. And then introduce Madhya Re, and so on.
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