CH 6
CH 6
CH 6
Notes
6
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
(Detailed study of the structure and
playing technique of Tanpura)
I
NDIAN Music is considered to be one of the oldest and important systems of
music in the world. Though, formally we relate its origin with Vedic period i.e.
4th Cent. B.C.; the evidences shows its existence much before that.
Archeological excavations give us the trail to believe different varieties of
Musical Instruments used by Indians, which dates back to millions of years. An
expedition throughout India will disclose hundreds of instruments, belonging to
the stringed, wind and percussion groups, each with a distinct shape, quality of
tone, and technique of play. Instruments made of wood, bamboo, metal, and mud
all shows our ancestor’s inclination towards music and expertise in making
distinct varieties of instruments and the techniques in playing. Musical Instruments
were seen in the hands of the rich as well as the poor. While popular and costly
instruments like Veena, Violin, Tanpura and Drums were seen in the mansions of
affluent and royal palaces; simple & cheap instruments like Tuntina, Ektar, flutes
and other simple drums are found in the huts of the poor.
OBJECTIVES
After learning this lesson, the learner will be able to:-
z mention the basic characteristics of Indian musical Instrument;
z explain the origin and evolution of musical instruments;
z identify the different Musical Instruments of India;
z recognize each musical instrument according to their classification.
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manganese dust, boiled rice and tamarind juice is applied; and on the left face, a
paste made of Sooji and water is fixed at the time of performance and scraped off
after it. Wax is used for fixing the frets in Veena. In the same way, the bowl of Notes
Tanpura, Veena and Sitar are made off a vegetable called bottle gourd, from which
the flush is scooped out and seasoned to make it hard and resonant as well.
The woods, bamboo, and reeds used in the manufacturing of musical instruments
are treated to an elaborate process of seasoning. Trunk of a matured tree of more
than fifty years is cut out and preserved for a long time to harden it under the sun
light and soil before the body of the instrument is shaped out of it. When Veena,
Gottu Vadyam and Tanpura are made, special care is taken to obtain wood from
the same tree for different parts like bowl, stem, and head piece, to ensure the
quality of sound and resonance. Instrument~ making is a very delicate and
intricate art, as the craftsmen should have a sound knowledge of the kind and
quality of the material to be used and principles of acoustics etc. Places famous
for the instruments making are Tanjore, Trivandrum, Manamadurai, Chennai,
Banglore.
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Notes
6.4 CLASSIFICATION
In general, musical instruments were classified into four heads from very ancient
times, such as “Tatam, Avanadham, Sushiram, and Ghanam”. Musicologists like
Bharata, Matanga Narada, Saranga Deva and others upholds this classification
through their illustrated works.
“tatamchaivaavanadham cha ghanam sushiramevacha
Chaturvidham tu vijneyamaatodhyam lakshanaanvitam”
- Natya Sastra Ch.28 V.I
2. The bowed varieties are those in which sound or vibrations are caused by the
bow. Examples are Violin, Sarangi, and Dilruba. This may be said to be
Dhanurja. Notes
3. The plucked and bowed varieties may again be classified into those which
have plain finger board. Here there are no frets to indicate the swarasthanas.
Example- Violin, Gottuvaadyam etc.
The second variety is with frets as in the Veena, Sitar, etc.
4. Stringed instruments may also be like the Tampura, Tuaturia, Ektar and
Dotar, where the notes are played on open strings. Here the entire length
of the string will vibrate and it will not be manipulated by the left hand
fingers. These instruments are mainly used for providing the sruti
accompaniment.
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Fig. 6 : GHATAM
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General Classification Musical Instruments
instrument on the stage, fifteen minutes before the actual beginning of the
performance, so as to get the listeners attuned to the music which is to follow. The
hall itself would be filled with the sruti and this would enable the artist to start his Notes
performance without taking much time to get into form.
Sruti vaadyas are always tuned to the pitch which is most suited to the singer’s
voice. He is at liberty to choose that sruti which will enable him to sing in all the
three sthayis without any effort. An instrumentalist, giving a solo performance,
also has the freedom to tune his vadya to the pitch in which he will be able to play
easily. An accompanist like Violinist or Mridangist has to tune his instrument to
the pitch of the main artist. This is not the case in Western music, where music is
composed for a particular pitch or key and all the performers have to conform to
that pitch.
In an Indian concert, the drone is kept sounding from the beginning to the end of
the performance. The non- stop sounding of the sruti does not create a feeling of
monotony, but on the other hand, it enriches the music, and gives stability to the
whole performance. In some instruments, the pitch of the instruments is not
adjustable like Flute. Without the drone, the pitch is liable to go up or down
slightly, whenever a new song or raga is started, since there is no standardizing
medium. Hence it is imperative that a sruti vadya should be employed in musical
performances of all kinds.
6.5 TAMBURA
Tambura is the classical drone Instrument of Indian Music. A musical programme
will not be complete without the continual accompaniment of this instrument.
South Indian Tambura is made completely of wood; while in the North Indian
Tambura the bowl is made out of bottle gourd and this instrument can be decorated
with ivory and other costly materials. Tambura, made out of a single block of wood
gives finest tone; but due to the non availability of such kind of wood, different
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parts are made out of the same wood and joined together. The different parts of
Tambura are :-
Notes
1. Kudam (Belly) bridge, Naagapaasam, tuning beads and jeevali.
2. Dandi and neck.
3. Tuning pegs and strings.
1. Kudam Or Bowl - This is the delicate part of the Instrument. This portion
of instrument is carved out of a big piece of wood, which scooped out and
covered with a thin sheet of the same. This portion helps the instrument to
resonate the sound made by plucking the strings; as it is hollow. Four strings
are tied to “Naagapaasam” which is fixed below of this belly and pass over
the Bridge which situate over this. Some thin threads are used to keep these
strings vibrate without touching the metal part of the bridge, which gives
good resonance to the instrument. This is called as “Jeeva” or “Javaari” in
north.
2. Dandi and Neck - Dandi is separated from the bowl by means of a projecting
ledge of wood. This long portion is also scooped out and covered by a thin
sheet of the same wood.
3. The Neck resume as Tail piece on which the four tuning pegs are attached in
the holes meant for that and four strings are tied to these pegs and can be
adjusted by, tightening and loosening of these pegs, the other end of these
strings are tied to Naagapaasam. Normally the strings are tuned in the order
of Madhya Panchamam - Two Taara Shadjam - Saarani, Anusaarani and
finally mandra Shadjam.
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TERMINAL QUESTIONS
Notes
1. Classify the Musical Instruments elaborately with examples.
2. Briefly explain the construction and playing technique of Tanpura.
3. Elucidate the kind of materials used for making Avanadha variety of
Instruments.
4. Write about the different types of stringed Instruments.
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6.4
1. lndian musical Instruments are classified in to four categories such as Tata, Notes
Avanadha, Sushira and Ghana.
2. Tata Vaadya or Stringed Instruments are those in which sound is produced by
setting strings in to vibration.
3. Stringed instruments are classified in to plucked, bowed, Plain fingerboard,
Fretted etc.
4. Sitar, Veena for the first variety; Violin, Sarangi for the second variety and
Sarod,Tanpura for the third variety and Guitar for the fourth variety.
6.5
1. Sushira Vaadya or Wind Instruments are those in which the sound is produced
by vibration of a column of air.
2. Two; The instrument in which the air blown by mouth like in flute and those
in which the air blown by the mechanical forces like Harmonium.
3. Nose blown instruments came in to existence because of the belief that any
thing touched with lips are considered to be polluted.
4. The two tubes are shruthy naadi and Swara Naadi.
6.6
1. Avanadha Vaadyas or Percussion Instruments are those, in which the sound
is produced due to the vibration of a stretched skin.
2. By the manner in which it is played, the percussion instruments are classified
in to four types; Those placed on one side, those played on both side, those
played with hand as well as stick and those played only by stick.
3. Khanjira, Timila, Edaika, and Chenta.
4. Mridangam, Ghatam etc.
6.7
1. Ghana Vaadyas are those rhythmical instruments made of metal or stones.
2. Jaalra, Brahma taalam, llattaalam, Nattuvataalam etc.
3. Chipla or Castanet belongs to Kathaakaalakshepam.
4. Gongs like Semakkalam used during Temple or Funeral processions.
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6.8
1. Drones are the musical instruments that used for Shruthi accompaniment for
Notes
all types of musical concerts in India.
2. Drones give stability and richness to the musical performances and helps the
musician from slipping out of the original pitch.
3. Drone gives out the key tone or Aadhaara Shruti to the musician during the
time of Concert.
4. In western music concerts, each and every composition is set to a particular
pitch, which all the musicians have to confirm to that pitch.
6.9
1. Kudam, Naagapaasam, Bridge, Dandi, Neck, Tuning pegs and Strings are the
different parts of a Tanpura.
2. Kudam is the round shaped hollow part in a Tanpura, which gives resonance
to the Instrument.
3. The longest part in a Tanpura is called Dandi.
4. Naagapaasam is the small)part from which the strings are originated in a
Tanpura.
5. In a usual Tanpura, there will be four strings.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITY
1. Collect maximum number of pictures of Musical Instruments of India, and
segregate them according to their classification.
2. Make.3 chart of musician’s names, along with the Instruments in which they
specialised.
3. Visit museum and collect the pictures of ancient and Music Instruments
related to folk music.
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