MAPEH - Music of South, Central, & West Asia (Grade 8) (3rd Quarter)

Summary

This lesson explores the rich musical traditions of South, Central, and West Asia, focusing on India, Pakistan, and Israel. It covers the two main forms of Indian classical music—Carnatic and Hindustani—along with their vocal and instrumental styles. Pakistani music is discussed through its **Ghazal** and **Qawwali** traditions, highlighting the influence of Persian and South Asian cultures. Israeli music is examined in terms of its devotional and secular forms, with an emphasis on unique instruments and rhythmic patterns. The lesson provides an engaging overview of regional music, instruments, and cultural significance across these diverse regions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indian music is divided into two main categories: vocal music (Carnatic and Hindustani) and instrumental music.
• 😀 Carnatic music, from South India, is unified with common ragas, devotional songs, and instruments like veena, flute, and mridangam.
• 😀 Hindustani music, from North India, has Persian influences and is known for nasal singing and the **khayal** vocal style.
• 😀 The **Vedas** are key sacred texts in Hinduism, with the **Sama Veda** focused on melodies and the **Rigveda** being the oldest and still used in religious rituals.
• 😀 Indian musical instruments are classified into five categories: **Ghan** (percussive), **Avanad** (drums), **Sushir** (wind), **Tata** (stringed), and **Vitat** (bound string instruments).
• 😀 The **tala** system of rhythm in Indian music uses repeating rhythmic phrases, and instruments like the **tabla** (Hindustani) and **mridangam** (Carnatic) are key for maintaining rhythm.
• 😀 In Pakistan, vocal music includes **Ghazal**, a traditional form expressing love and pain, and **Qawwali**, devotional music performed at Sufi shrines.
• 😀 **Punjabi music** is significant in Pakistan, with instruments like **tabla**, **dolak**, and **harmonium** being used for folk and Bhangra music.
• 😀 Israeli music is characterized by modal tunes, with significant contributions from both Jewish and Arab cultures, focusing on complex melodies and rhythms.
• 😀 Israeli vocal music is divided into **devotional** (for religious events) and **secular** (for life events) categories, with the **hazan** leading prayers in synagogues.
• 😀 Instruments like the **lute**, **goblet drum**, and **tambourine** are used in Israeli music, often accompanying dances like the **hora**.

Q & A

What are the two main categories of Indian classical music?

The two main categories of Indian classical music are vocal music and instrumental music.

What is the significance of the Vedas in Indian music?

The Vedas are ancient Hindu scriptures that form the foundation of many aspects of Indian music, with hymns from the Samaveda sung in a specific style called samagana.

What distinguishes Carnatic music from Hindustani music?

Carnatic music is associated with South India and is closely tied to Hindu religious devotion, with unified schools and specific instruments, while Hindustani music, rooted in North India, developed under Persian influence and features more varied vocal styles.

What are the four classifications of Indian musical instruments?

Indian musical instruments are classified into five categories: gun (non-membranous percussion), avanad (membranous percussion), sushir (blown air instruments), that (stringed instruments), and vitat (bound string instruments).

What are some examples of sushir instruments in Indian music?

Some examples of sushir instruments in Indian music include the shanka, serpetti, Chennai, and bansuri.

How is rhythm represented in Indian classical music?

Rhythm in Indian classical music is represented using tala, a repeating rhythmic pattern, with instruments like the tabla and mridangam keeping the rhythm.

What are the two main types of vocal music in Pakistan?

The two main types of vocal music in Pakistan are gazal, a poetic expression of love and separation, and qawwali, a devotional form of music.

How does Punjabi music reflect the cultural significance of instruments in Pakistan?

Punjabi music emphasizes the importance of musical instruments like the tabla, dolak, and harmonium, particularly in dances like bhangra, which relies on drum rhythms.

What are the defining characteristics of Israeli vocal music?

Israeli vocal music features guttural enunciation and is divided into devotional music, primarily used in religious ceremonies, and secular music, which is more rhythmic and used in life passage events.

What is the role of instruments in Israeli music?

In Israeli music, instruments like the oud, tambourine, and shofar are used to accompany vocal performances, especially in dances like the hora, which has strong offbeats and asymmetric meters.