Study Guides

Unit Summary

This unit explores the three main components of Hindustani classical music. Pupils hear rhythmic patterns played on the tabla drums and learn how to recite a taal using the spoken mnemonic syllables (bols). They create texture by adding an improvised raag using five notes, and finally add a drone.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to add a drone to the taal and raag for an effective Hindustani classical musical performance.

Key Notes

• Nada Brahma, in Indian philosophy, means God is sound or the universe is sound.
• The drone is the constant sound that runs through Hindustani classical music.
• The drone symbolises the idea of Nada Brahma - the fundamental constant sound.
• The three main components of Hindustani classical music are taal, raag, and drone.
• We can clap and tap the taal, play a melody and improvise in the raag, and sing and hold a drone note.

Vocabulary To Learn

• drone: a constant, pitched sound that continues throughout a piece of music
• improvisation: creative, in-the-moment musical composition
• tanpura: a long-necked, plucked Indian instrument on which the drone is played
• texture: the combination of different layers of sound

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Using just one note as a harmony would sound boring

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Combining taals and raags Study Guide
• Improvising using a five note raag Study Guide
• Playing taals and speaking bols Study Guide
• Singing and playing a melody in a five note raag Study Guide
• Singing and playing raags Study Guide