Singing and playing raags
I can sing and play notes from a raag.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In Hindustani classical music, a raag is the melodic part of the music.
- When playing Hindustani classical music, you can only play the notes that belong to the raag you are playing in.
- Raag Bhupali has 5 notes. Different raags have different numbers and combinations of notes.
- In a raag, aaroh is the name of the ascending scale and avaro is the name of the descending scale.
Keywords
Sitar - a stringed instrument from India on which the raag is commonly played
Raag - musical notes used to make a composition (from Sanskrit language meaning ‘to colour’)
Saptak - the seven notes in Indian classical music - Sa, Re, Ga, ma, Pa, Dha, Ni
Common misconception
There are only one set of names we use for notes in a scale
We can use pitch names of C, D, E, F, G, A, B. We can use the solfège of do, re, mi, fa, so la, ti, and in Hindustani classical we use the sargam of sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha ni. These are not fixed - meaning 'do' or 'Sa' don't have to be 'C'.
Equipment
Glockenspiels - 1 between 2 as a guide.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the component of Hindustani classical music to the instrument commonly used to play it.
tabla
sitar
tanpura
Q2.Match these similar words and phrases.
tune
constant sound
rhythm
layers of sound
Q3.How many notes does a pentatonic scale have?
Q4.Put these notes from the major pentatonic scale in ascending order (from lower pitch to higher pitch).
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following statements is true?
Q2.Match taal, raag, and drone to the correct definition.
the rhythm cycle
the set of musical notes to use for a composition or improvisation
the constant sound
Q3.Match each component of Hindustani classical music to the instrument it is played on.
tabla
sitar
tanpura