Indian Classical Music
There are twelve notes in Indian Classical Music:
- Shadja S
- Rishabh R
- Gandhar G
- Madhyam M
- Pancham P
- Dhaivat D
- Nishad N
Notes are of two types –
1. MOVABLE 2. IMMOVABLE
- Movable notes:
R G D N are movable notes. This movement is of two types. When R G D N are normal notes, in the notation system they do not take any symbol.
For example ; R G D N
When these four notes leave their place, they are always placed lower than their respective normal notes. These notes are called flat Notes. In the notation system they take the symbol of a small horizontal bar underneath the note.
For example ; R G D N
Also ‘M’ is a movable note, when M is normal note in the notation system it doesn’t take any symbol, for example: M.
When this note leaves its place it is placed higher than its normal form. Because of its sharp tone this note is called Sharp Note. While writing the notation of Sharp ‘M’ it is indicated by a small vertical line above the note.
2. Immovable notes :
S and P are immovable notes. They invariably remain Normal.
In this way the twelve notes are:
S & P Immovable notes
R G D N Normal notes
R G D N Flat notes
M Normal note
M Sharp note
Twelve notes are
S R R G G M M P D D N N
Octave
There are three voice registers recognized by our musicologists namely the “Lower”, the “Middle” which produces the normal voice and the “Higher” which produces the top or head notes. These are actually the “OCTAVES” each consisting of seven notes. The division of Octave is based on the normal and natural range of human voice. So music develops mainly within three octaves ; LOWER , MIDDLE and HIGHER
When the set of seven notes are sung or played in an order it is called an Octave.
For example ; S R G M P D N
While singing the lower octave has its place in the Chest, middle octave in the throat and higher octave in the head. In the notation system lower octave notes are indicated by a small dot underneath the note. For example ;
S R G M P D N
• • • • • • •
In the notation system middle octave notes are no symbols. For example ;
S R G M P D N
In the notation system Higher Octave notes are indicated by a small dot on the top of the note. For example ;
• • • • • • •
S R G M P D N
Blending of Rhythm, Vibrations, Word and Sound is called music.