Structure in North Indian classical music

Key learning points

1. North Indian classical music has a typical structure consisting of alap, gat and jhala.
2. Alap is the introduction, with a free tempo and the sitar player improvising on the raga.
3. In gat, there is a clear pulse on the tabla, and a more structured melody on the sitar.
4. In jhala, it speeds up and the performers play more complex music in a virtuosic style, building to a frantic finale.

Keywords

• Alap - The introduction section to a piece of North Indian classical music is called alap.

• Gat - The second section, where the tabla joins in is called gat. It has a more fixed melody.

• Jhala - The final section, where the tempo and energy builds, is called jhala.

• Virtuosic - Playing in a virtuosic style means to play in a way that shows off your technical and musical ability.

Common misconception