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General Classification Musical Instruments

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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General Classification Musical Instruments

6.1 PECULIARITY OF INDIAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS


As Indian Music is blended with mythology and age old treatises like Epics and
Notes
Purana, its instruments are also associated with Gods, Goddesses and other semi
divine people of Indian ethos. While some instruments like Veena, Venu, Mridangam
are associated with Goddess Saraswathi, Lord Krishna, and Nandi; some
instruments like Mahati, Katchapi, Tumburu etc. are personified with their
proponent. Musicians even worship these instruments in several occasions for the
best music out of it.
Indian Musical instruments have some distinguishing characteristics. Most of
them have developed in such a way that it can play minute embellishments on each
and every note. This trend might have continued only when Indian Music started
giving more importance to Gamaka. It is for the same reason only the ancient
instruments like Yazh and many verities of Harp fell out of use. Keyed instruments
like Piano, Harmonium and Clarinet did not become popular in India due to the
same reason. Indian music is based on melody in which the musical notes progress
in one after one mode, with mild shakes on particular notes; which is not possible
in the keyed instruments as they will produce musical notes or chords with fixed
pitch and not capable of producing subtle gamaka and quarter tones which alone
can bring out raga bhava in Indian concept.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.1


1. Name a few instruments that are associated with gods and goddesses.
2. Name some instruments personified to their proponent.
3. What are the distinguishing characteristics of Indian Musical instruments?
4. Why the foreign instruments didn’t become popular in India?

6.2 MATERIALS USED FOR MAKING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS


Different kinds of materials are used in the manufacture of Instruments; like
Wood, Animal skin, Metals, Clay etc. Jack wood, Black wood, Rose wood,
Khadira wood, Himalayan pine, Tamukku are the trees supplying woods; in spite
of Bamboo and other soft materials. Metals like gold, Silver, Bronze, Copper, and
Iron from the metal Kingdom and skins of Sheep, Calf, Buffalo, and the hair from
the tail of horse, and bones and teeth of certain animals like Elephant, are used in
some instruments. In ancient times Mridangam was believed to have been made
of clay as its name signifies; and earthen pot called Ghatam is used to be made of
a special kind of Clay. On the right head of Mridangam, a black paste made of

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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.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.2


1. Which are the trees that supply wood for making Musical Instrument?
2. Paste of what substance is put on the right head of Mridangam?
3. What material is used to fix the frets of Veena?
4. Which are the places famous for making Musical Instruments?

6.3 FOREIGN INSTRUMENTS


Indians, who are known for their tolerance, hospitality have accepted several
religions, missionaries, and trader turned rulers, over the ages; and adapted several
languages and culture along with them. In the same way, our music also received
the instruments like Violin, Mandolin, Saxophone, Guitar, Clarinet and Harmonium
and made a part of our own music. The effort of Baluswamy Dikshitar, and
Vadivelu, should be lauded in this regard. Except violin, the other instruments
entered in to the field of Indian Classical Music in the mid of twentieth century
only. Some of these instruments are believed to have existed in India very long
ago. However it is very clear that, we have not accepted any percussion instruments
from abroad. We have made certain minute changes to these instruments to
practice with our music at ease and perfection. While we have changed the order
of strings in violin and playing technique, the Guitar is played with a piece of
object-plectrum, like Gottuvaadyam- a very old Indian instrument.

CARNATIC MUSIC 67
General Classification Musical Instruments

Notes

Fig. 5.1: VIOLIN

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.3


1. Which are the foreign instruments that we adapted in to our music?
2. Who all are responsible for the introduction of violin in Indian Music?
3. When the instruments other than violin became popular in Indian Music?

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

6.4.1 Tata Vaadya or Stringed instruments. (Chordophone)


Tata Vaadya or Stringed instruments are those in which sound is produced by
setting strings into vibration. Music can be played in several ways in stringed
variety of instruments. These may again be of various kinds according to the
manner in which the vibrations are caused.
1. Plucked instruments, are those in which the strings are made to vibrate and
produce sound, by plucking them with the fingers or with a plectrum.
Examples of this type are- Veena, Gottuvadyam, Sitar, Sarod, Guitar,
Tambura, Ektar and Dotar. These may also be called as Nakhaja.
68 CARNATIC MUSIC
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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.

Fig. 6.2 : VEENA

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.4


1. Under how many heads Musical Instruments have been classified & which
are they?
2. What is Tata Vaadya or Stringed Instrument?
3. In which way Stringed Instruments are classified?
4. Give one example of all types of string Instruments?

6.4.2 Wind Instruments or Sushira Vaadya (Aerophone)


In Sushira Vaadya or wind instruments the sound is produced by the vibration of
a column of air in a tube. The column of air is set to vibration by a blast of air
directed into the tube.
Wind instruments are of two varieties:
1. Those, wherein the wind is supplied by the breath of the performer as in the
Flute, Nagaswaram, Kombu, Ekkalam, Conch, Magudi and many others.
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2. Those, wherein the wind is supplied by some mechanical contrivance,


commonly blown, as in the Harmonium and Piano.
Notes
The former is again classified into those where in the breath blown through mouth
and blown through Nose. In ancient period, the Music Instruments were considered
as very celestial and any instrument touched by the mouth considered as polluted.
The mouth blown varieties are again of two kinds:
1) Those in which the air is blown in through the hole on the wall of the
instruments, as in the Flute.
2) Those wherein the wind is blown in through vibrating reeds or mouth pieces,
as in the Nagaswaram, Shehnai, Mukhaveena, Clarinet and Oboe.
In some wind instruments, the sruti is fixed to the instrument itself. Example- the
Magudi, where there are two tubes, one for producing the sruti and the other for
producing the melody. These tubes are known as sruti nadi and swara nadi. These
are known as compound wind instruments. The Nedunkuzhal also comes under
this group.

Fig. 6.3 : NAGASWARAM

Fig. 6.4 : FLUTE

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.5


1. What is Sushira Vaadya or wind instrument?

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2. How the wind instruments are classified?


3. How did the nose blown instruments came in to existence? Notes
4. Which are the two tubes in the instrument called Magudi?

6.4.3 Percussion Instruments or AvanadhaVaadya (Membranophone)


Avanadha Vaadya or Percussion instruments are those in which the sound is
produced by the vibration of a stretched skin or by the vibration caused by striking
two solid pieces of metal or wood together. Percussion instruments are generally
used for regulating the speed of the music.
Based on the manner of playing, drums may be classified into:
1. Those played by two hands. Example - Mridangam.
2. Those wherein the heads are struck by two sticks, Example- Damaram,
Nagara,
3. Those in which one face is played by the hand and the other by a stick.
Example-- Thavil.
4. Those in which only one side of the instrument is played with hand or stick
like in Khanjira, Timila, Edaikka and Chenta.

Fig. 6.5 : MRIDANGAM

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.6


1. What is Avanadha Vadya or Percussion Instruments?
2. In which way are percussion instruments classified?
3. Name the Instruments that are played only on one side?
4. Name the instrument played with both the hands?

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6.4.4 Ghana Vaadyas (Idiophone)


Many kinds of cymbals made of metal or stone are also used for keeping time.
Notes
Examples - Jalra, Talam, Brahmatala, Nattuva talam, ilattalam and others. Jalra
is used in bhajans and kalakshepams. Brahmatalams, which are larger in size, are
used during temple rituals. Nattuva talam is used by the dance masters and
Ilatalam is a part of kathakali band. Gongs like Semakkalam are used during
temple and funeral processions. Chipla or castanets belong to the kathakalakshepam.
Earthen pots made off clay mixed with several metals are also used to keep the
time. This typical instrument is called as Ghatam. Musician keeps this instrument
in his lap and plays with his both hands. All these are Ghana vadyas and they also
belong to the percussion group.

Fig. 6 : GHATAM

6.4.4 IN TEXT QUESTIONS

1. What is Ghana Vaadya?


2. Give examples of Ghana Vaadyas that are used in different occasions?
3. Chipla or Castanet belongs to which type of art form?
4. Gongs like semakkalam are used in which occasions?

6.5 SHRUTI VAADYAS - DRONES INSTRUMENTS


Drones are musical instruments which provide the sruti accompaniment for any
performance - Vocal, Dance or Instrumental music concert. Drones give out the
key tone or adhara shadja to the singer or player. It is an indispensable part of a
concert. Drones give stability and richness to a performance and are of a great help
in creating a musical atmosphere. It is said that great singers like “Maha
Vaidyanatha Iyer” was in the habit of making his Tambura player, start playing the

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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.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.5


1. What is Drone?
2. Why Indian musicians need accompaniment of Drone throughout the time of
concert?
3. What is the use of drone in the Indian musical concert?
4. Why western music do not require a particular Drone instrument?

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.

Fig. 7 : South Indian Tanpura Fig. 8 : North Indian Tanpura

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.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 6.6


1. Which are the different parts of a Tanpura?
2. What is “Kudam,” in Tanpura ?
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3. What is the longest portion of a Tanpura is called?


4. What is Naagapaasam in a Tanpura?
Notes
5. How many strings are there in a usual Tanpura?

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT


India is a rich country in musical instruments. Since pre historic period several
kind of musical instructments are in use for different occasions of life. Since early
period musical instruments are classified into four i.e. Tata, Avanadha, Sushire &
Ghana according to the nature of the instruments and the way it is being played.
Indian music adapted several foreign instruments and incorporated into our music
system such as violin, Harmonium, mandolin etc.
Indian Music, which believed to be one of the oldest systems of Music in the world
over and have originated during VEDIC Period; is very rich in its varied aspects
like, Raga, Tala, Compositions and Instruments as well. In the process of
evolution, it established certain principles which make it distinct from the other
systems of Music. Its serenity in nature made the literature of all its compositions,
sacred in nature and the Gamaka -minute embellishments, used for the Music,
compelled other instruments, like Harmonium, Piano, Accordion etc. vanished
from the music scene.
As human being Started using musical Instruments by imitating the nature and
animals or birds; he procured the natural materials for making Instruments, like
Bamboo, logs of special kind of woods, skin of certain animals and minerals.
Teeth and horns of several animals are also utilized for making parts of quite a few
Instruments.
Wide varieties of Indian musical instruments like Veena, Mridangam, Flute,
Cymbal etc. are classified in to four types like Tata, Avanadha, Ghana, Sushira etc.
These Instruments became an integral part of Indian Myths as every Instrument
has got some connection with any celestial character of the Purana. Our ancestors
have adapted several foreign Instruments of different civilizations. Stringed and
wind variety of Instruments -emanate the melodic type of music; while the
Avanadha and Ghana variety of Instruments are played to provide the rhythmic
accompaniment to the former as well as Vocal Music.
‘Tampura’, is the another specialty of Indian Music as it provide pitch for the other
Instruments and Vocal Music as well. Indian music, unlike other types of music,
does not change the frequency in between a Music Concert. Tampura fulfils the
purpose of giving drone throughout the time of a music concert.

CARNATIC MUSIC 75
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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.

ANSWERS FOR IN TEXT QUESTIONS


6.1
1. Veena, Venu, Mridangam are some of the Instruments connected to Gods.
2. Mahathi, Katchapi, Tumpuru are some of the Instruments personified with
their proponent.
3. Indian Musical Instruments have developed in such a way that it can play
minute embellishments on each and every note which can play one after the
other, in a melodic way.
4. Because the foreign Instruments can’t play Gamaka or minute embellishments.
6.2
1. Jack wood, Black wood, Rose wood, Khadira, Tamukku and Himalayan pine
are some of the trees that supply woods for making Musical Instruments.
2. A paste of manganese dust, boiled rice and Tamarind juice put on the right
head of the Mridangam.
3. Wax is used for fixing frets in Veena.
4. Tanjore, Trivandrum, Maanaamadurai, Chennai and Banglore are the places,
famous for making Musical Instruments.
6.3
1. Violin, Saxophone, Mandolin, Clarinet, and Harmonium are the foreign.
Instruments, that we adapted.
2. Baluswami Deekshitar and Vadivelu adapted Violin to Indian music.
3. In the mid of twentieth century only other Instruments became popular.

76 CARNATIC MUSIC
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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.

CARNATIC MUSIC 77
General Classification Musical Instruments

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.

78 CARNATIC MUSIC

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