Indian musical scale

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[edit] Indian Musical Scale.

There are 72 parent  scales in Carnatic music(South indian classical music).

All ragas in Carnatic music (Karnatic music)are based on one of these parent scales. In all texts describing the notes of any compositions, along with ascending (Arohan)and descending(Avarohan) notes of ragas, the scale number is also given. From the scale number the notes can be easily identified and played. eg. Raga Hamsadwani the ascending notes are Sa Re Ga Pa Ni Sa in scale 29.

(Do=Sa Re=Re Me=Ga Fa=Ma So=Pa La=Dha Te= Ni )

Assuming C as the basic note then the scale 29 is equivalent to C major. and the notes are Do Re Me So La or the corresponding notes are C D E G B There is a systmatic scientific method for describing Indian musical scale. The scales described below are the scales of Carnatic Music(South indian music). Once you know the rules it is easy to find the corresponding notes of any scale. In Hindustani classical music the parent musical scales are different

[edit] General Rules

1. There are twelve notes in an octave

C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B c
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1

2. In a scale only 7 notes swaras are used at a time

and their names are Sa(Do) Re(Re) Ga(Me) Ma(Fa) Pa(So) Dha(La) Ni(Te)

eg. Scale 29 C Major....Media:Sc29.mid

Do - Re - Me Fa - So - La - Te Do
S ** R ** G M ** P ** D ** N s


3. In all the 72 scales the basic note called Sa is fixed (assume that it is C in western notation)

4. The fifth note Pa is also fixed (G)

for 1 to 72 scales

C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B c
S ** ** ** ** ** ** P ** ** ** ** s

5. The fourth note Ma can assume two positions M1(F) and M2(F#)

6. In all scales form 1 to 36 Ma is M1(F)

for scales 1 to 36

C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B c
S ** ** ** ** M ** P ** ** ** ** s


7 In scales 37 to 72 Ma is M2 (F#)

for scales 37 to 72

C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B c
S ** ** ** ** ** M P ** ** ** ** s


8 Take any scale x from 1 to 36 and if you change the note M1(F) to M2(F#)you get the new scale with number x+36 eg Take scale 29 and shift M1 to M2 you get scale 65

9. Re, Ga, Dha and Ni can assume three positions, see below the table

[edit] The 72 scales and media files

72 melakarthas (Ragas from which other ragas are generated) or 72 Sampurna ragas (Raga with all 7 notes) or Janaka ragas

scale C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B c name music file,piano
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 key
1 S R G M P D N s 1 Kanakangi Media:sc01.mid
2 S R G M P D N s 2 Rathnangi Media:sc02.mid
3 S R G M P D N s 3 Ganamurthi Media:sc03.mid
4 S R G M P D N s 4 Vanaspathi Media:sc04.mid
5 S R G M P D N s 5 Manavathi Media:sc05.mid
6 S R G M P D N s 6 Thanapuri Media:sc06.mid
7 S R G M P D N s 7 Senavathi Media:sc07.mid
8 S R G M P D N s 8 Thodi Media:sc08.mid
9 S R G M P D N s 9 Dhenuka Media:sc09.mid
10 S R G M P D N s 10 Natakapriya Media:sc10.mid
11 S R G M P D N s 11 Kokilapriya Media:sc11.mid
12 S R G M P D N s 12 Rupavathi Media:sc12.mid
13 S R G M P D N s 13 Gayakapriya Media:sc13.mid
14 S R G M P D N s 14 Vakulabharanam Media:sc14.mid
15 S R G M P D N s 15 Mayamalavagoula Media:sc15.mid
16 S R G M P D N s 16 Chakravaham Media:sc16.mid
17 S R G M P D N s 17 Suryakantham Media:sc17.mid
18 S R G M P D N s 18 Hathakambari Media:sc18.mid
19 S R G M P D N s 19 Jhankaradhvani Media:sc19.mid
20 S R G M P D N s 20 Natabhairavi Media:sc20.mid
21 S R G M P D N s 21 Kiravani Media:sc21.mid
22 S R G M P D N s 22 Kharaharapriya Media:sc22.mid
23 S R G M P D N s 23 Gaurimanohari Media:sc23.mid
24 S R G M P D N s 24 Varunapriya Media:sc24.mid
25 S R G M P D N s 25 Mararanjani Media:sc25.mid
26 S R G M P D N s 26 Charukeshi Media:sc26.mid
27 S R G M P D N s 27 Sarasangi Media:sc27.mid
28 S R G M P D N s 28 Harikamboji Media:sc28.mid
29 S R G M P D N s 29 Shankarabharanam Media:sc29.mid
30 S R G M P D N s 30 Naganandini Media:sc30.mid
31 S R G M P D N s 31 Yagapriya Media:sc31.mid
32 S R G M P D N s 32 Raagavardhini Media:sc32.mid
33 S R G M P D N s 33 Gangeyabhushani Media:sc33.mid
34 S R G M P D N s 34 Vagadhishvari Media:sc34.mid
35 S R G M P D N s 35 Sulini Media:sc35.mid
36 S R G M P D N s 36 Chalanata Media:sc36.mid
37 S R G M P D N s 37 Salagam Media:sc37.mid
38 S R G M P D N s 38 Jalarnavam Media:sc38.mid
39 S R G M P D N s 39 Jalavarali Media:sc39.mid
40 S R G M P D N s 40 Navanitham Media:sc40.mid
41 S R G M P D N s 41 Pavani Media:sc41.mid
42 S R G M P D N s 42 Raghupriya Media:sc42.mid
43 S R G M P D N s 43 Gavambhodi Media:sc43.mid
44 S R G M P D N s 44 Bhavapriya Media:sc44.mid
45 S R G M P D N s 45 Shubhapanthuvarali Media:sc45.mid
46 S R G M P D N s 46 Shadvidhamargini Media:sc46.mid
47 S R G M P D N s 47 Suvarnangi Media:sc47.mid
48 S R G M P D N s 48 Divyamani Media:sc48.mid
49 S R G M P D N s 49 Dhavalmbari Media:sc49.mid
50 S R G M P D N s 50 Namanarayani Media:sc50.mid
51 S R G M P D N s 51 Kamavardhini Media:sc51.mid
52 S R G M P D N s 52 Ramapriya Media:sc52.mid
53 S R G M P D N s 53 Gamanasrama Media:sc53.mid
54 S R G M P D N s 54 Vishvambari Media:sc54.mid
55 S R G M P D N s 55 Shyamalangi Media:sc55.mid
56 S R G M P D N s 56 Shanmughapriya Media:sc56.mid
57 S R G M P D N s 57 Simhendramdyamam Media:sc57.mid
58 S R G M P D N s 58 Hemavathi Media:sc58.mid
59 S R G M P D N s 59 Dharmavathi Media:sc59.mid
60 S R G M P D N s 60 Nithimati Media:sc60.mid
61 S R G M P D N s 61 Kanthamani Media:sc61.mid
62 S R G M P D N s 62 Rishabhapriya Media:sc62.mid
63 S R G M P D N s 63 Lathangi Media:sc63.mid
64 S R G M P D N s 64 Vachaspathi Media:sc64.mid
65 S R G M P D N s 65 Kalyani Media:sc65.mid
66 S R G M P D N s 66 Chithrambari Media:sc66.mid
67 S R G M P D N s 67 Sucharitha Media:sc67.mid
68 S R G M P D N s 68 Jyothisvarupini Media:sc68.mid
69 S R G m P D N s 69 Dhathuvardhini Media:sc69.mid
70 S R G M P D N s 70 Nasikabhushani Media:sc70.mid
71 S R G M P D N s 71 Kosalam Media:sc71.mid
72 S R G M P D N s 72 Rasikapriya Media:sc72.mid

note: The music files given above gives corresponding notes of scales. For more details refer to raga

[edit] Rules continued..

see the positions of Re and Ga

scale C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B c
for scales 1-6 S R G _ _ M
for scales 7-12 S R _ G _ M
for scales 13-18 S R _ _ G_ M
for scales 19-24 S _ R G _ M
for scales 25-30 S _ R _ G_ M
for scales 31-36 S _ _ R G M

So You have seen that scales can be divided into groups of six (1-6 , 7-12, ...)

The pattern of Dha and Ni are very similar to that of Re and Ga.

The positions of Dha an Ni are as follows

In each group the first member (1,7,13,19,..) the positions are

scale G G# A A# B c
for first member P D N _ _ s
for sescond member p D _ N _ s
for third member P D _ _ N_ s
for fourth member P _ D N _ s
for fifth member P _ D _ N s
for sixth member P _ _ D N s


8 Take any scale x from 1 to 36 and if you change the note M1(F) to M2(F#)you get the new scale with number x+36 eg Take scale 29 and shift M1 to M2 you get scale 65


[edit] Raga

In Indian classical music, "Raga" is the name given to a style or mode of musical composition. For each "Raga" there are sets of rules, governing the selection and use of musical notes for composing or rendering music. It is similar to musical scale in western music. However, for "Raga" the parent musical scale is further resricted by other rules which guide how the musical notes are presentedor sung. In Indian classical music each composition is set in a "Raga". Form the characteristics of the musical notes and its presentation, an experienced listener can identify the "Raga" of the composition easily.

The factors which give the characteristics of the "Raga" are

1. In classical Carnatic music, all "Ragas" are based on one of the 72 parent musical scales which restricts the path of note progression. eg. "Raga" "Hamsadhwani" is based on scale 29 called "Dheerashankarabahranam" (Assuming C as the basic note it is Cmajor scale) The the seven notes of the parent scale are C D E F G A B.....Media:Sc29.mid

2. In a "Raga" only some notes are allowed. In "Raga Hamsadhwani", the ascending notes are S R G P N s (Do Re Me So Te do)

and descending notes are s N P G R S

The allowed notes are C D E G B Ascending and descending notes of hamsadhwani raga Media:hamsadhwaniaro.mid

3. A "Raga" is having its characteristic flow of musical notes called "gamak" . For a particular "Raga", the movement from one note to other is not always discreet, at many instances, pitch is continueously varied from one note to other in a characteristic fashion which is soothing to the ears. There is no written method to for explaining "gamak" of a "Raga". It is learned by listening and practicing.

4. Other restrictions for "Raga" are the time of singing a "Raga"(there are morning raga,evening raga etc.), the basic pitch or octave and tempo.

Therefore, based on a single parent scale there can be many ragas, obtained by applying restriction on ascending snd descending notes and types of "gamak"

"Raga" is also called "ragam" or "Raag" in some areas.

[edit] Flowing musical note or "Gamak"

In Indian Classical music the term "Gamak" means flow of musical notes. It is the variations applied to the pitch of the musical notes. It can be considered as the path of transition from one musical note to other. Many times, the pitch is continueously varied from one note to other in a fashion characteristic of the "Raga" used. Appart from selection of musical notes, its "Gamak" gives the characteristic identity to a "Raga".While harmony gives richness to Western music, "Gamak" gives richness to indian classical music.

The terms "Gamaka" or "Gamakam" are used synonimous with "Gamak"

Gamaka has another meaning in contest of musical story telling in Karnataka Sangeetam

[edit] Musical note names in Indian Classical Music

Indian Classical music the seven notes system is followed the names used are

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The vocal name Sa Re(Ri) Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni
The written name Shadja Rishbh Gandhar Madhyam Pancham Dhaivath Nishaad
Notation S R G M P D N
corresponding western name Do Re Me Fa So La Te

[edit] References

reference "Varnamanjari" By T.K. Govinda Rao


[edit] Further Reading

For more details refer to melakartha

For western scales refer to Musical scales


Compiled by --Piuskerala 09:18, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

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