LESSON REQUEST: Indian Classical Music Theory

[ralphster007]

Seriously. If anyone knows anything at all, or who has links to some decent primers or tutorials, I'd be much obliged.
TIA,
Matt

[ninjaaron]

I assum you are talking about the music from India...
I only know a very little about it, but I will tell you what I know:

there are drones going in the background most of the time, there are also a lot of micro-tone bends

there is a scale that tends to be favored for indian music, t is called the hindustan scale, it is also the fifth mode of melodic minor and is sometimes called melodic major, it could also be called mixolydian b6 or aeolian #3

in C it is C-D-E-F-G-Ab-Bb-C

most indian music slowly elevates in the peice, reaches a climax about midway through, and then slowly comes back down.

If you are talking about native american music, I have no clue.

[stevehollx]

For what I understand Indian music isn't based on the 12 note chromatic scale, let alone is it hinged off of the major scales like Western music is. I also bleieve they do not have musical scores, and a lot of what they do is improv. This is interesting though, and I would like to see what people have to say.

[ninjaaron]

Originally posted by stevehollx
For what I understand Indian music isn't based on the 12 note chromatic scale, let alone is it hinged off of the major scales like Western music is. I also bleieve they do not have musical scales, and a lot of what they do is improv. This is interesting though, and I would like to see what people have to say. I just put what I have observed from listening, and a tiny amount of reasearch

[rosskoss]

Well, I'm of indian origin but I really don't know much about Indian music. :(

But I know of at least three guitarists who do and maybe you could get in touch with them if you want to know more

http://www.guitarprasanna.com

He plays genuine Indian Classical music on guitar(among other styles). His vibrato and bending techniques are really unique. I find it hard to believe that he plays like that on a regular guitar.

Check out this tune for instance

http://www.guitarprasanna.com/Audio/Carnatic/bilahari.ram

Theres also some theory on his site that you may find useful

Some more info

"Prasanna is a magna-cum-laude graduate in western classical composition and Jazz improvisation from the Berklee College of music, Boston, USA. As one of Berklee's most illustrious students, he was awarded the coveted 'Berklee College of Music Composition Achievement Award' for outstanding work as a western classical composer and 'The Berklee College of Music Guitar Achievement Award' for outstanding work as a jazz guitarist. "


And a few other guitarists

http://www.joybasu.com
http://www.prashantaswani.com/
http://www.virtualguitarmagazine.com/guest_editorials/Anand.htm


Heres a lesson that I found online. You may find it useful

http://www.theshredzone.com/lessons/fretboardfrolics_mikhal_caldwell/fretboardfrolicspart011.html

Also check out some of Shawn Lane's online articles because he is deeply influenced by indian classical music and has studied it in depth.


Well, I hope that helps in some way

[ralphster007]

Thank you rosskoss and friends!

[tramampoline]

Originally posted by rosskoss

http://www.guitarprasanna.com

He plays genuine Indian Classical music on guitar(among other styles). His vibrato and bending techniques are really unique. I find it hard to believe that he plays like that on a regular guitar.

Check out this tune for instance

http://www.guitarprasanna.com/Audio/Carnatic/bilahari.ram

Theres also some theory on his site that you may find useful

Hey rosskoss. Thanks for posting that link! Very cool guitar work there.

[Fred5]

Some kind of primer, I guess : http://www.chandrakantha.com/articles/indian_music/raga.html

An interesting read about sitars :http://www.buckinghammusic.com/sitar/sittut/btut.html

Both sites are quite exploreable. No wonder, since
Indian music is huge subject.

[blackstratblues]

hey rosskoss..you of indian origin?

i'm from bombay, say prasanna in 1996 [i think] at a local gig. was one of the most mind bending experiences cos you'd never thought that was a guitar playing. sounded like a carnatic flute or something. sadly i havent seen him since.

[tramampoline]

Originally posted by blackstratblues


i'm from bombay, say prasanna in 1996 [i think] at a local gig. was one of the most mind bending experiences cos you'd never thought that was a guitar playing. sounded like a carnatic flute or something. sadly i havent seen him since. That's cool man. To hear a guitar pull off that kind of stuff is definately mind-bending. Kinda makes me think of switching to lighter guage strings :D

[blackstratblues]

his website says he uses 10's....i consider 9's normal....:D