Rag Desh
Rag DeshWALT to identify the key musical features of three
different recordings of the Rag Desh.WILF good understanding of
what each key feature is about i.e. structure, instrumentation.
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India?
TIB You will need to be able to compare and contrast the three
versions in the exam.Version 1
Performed by Anoushka Shankar. Sitar player, born in India,
lives in the USA. Half-sister of Norah Jones, daughter of famous
sitar playing Ravi Shankar who worked with The Beatles.WALT to
identify the key musical features of three different recordings of
the Rag Desh.
Instruments used are Sitar and Tabla.
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to purify themselves!Version 1WALT to identify the key musical
features of three different recordings of the Rag Desh.The
Structure has 3 movements:AlapGat 1Gat 2There are two Tals used in
Version 1.They are:
Jhaptal (10 beats): (2 + 3 + 2 + 3)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Clap Clap Wave Clap
Tintal (16 beats): (4 + 4 + 4 + 4) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16X X W X
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Version 1 - AlapWALT to identify the key musical features of
three different recordings of the Rag Desh.0.00 0.55 Alap This
section is slow and has no pulse. The sitar plays on its own and
explores the notes of the rag. Rhythms are fluid and free and sound
like they are improvised. There is some decoration to the melody
line.
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chicken, mutton or fish.
Listen Now!Version 1 Gat 1WALT to identify the key musical
features of three different recordings of the Rag Desh.0.55 9:27
Gat 1 The sitar plays a fixed pattern (thought out beforehand
rather than improvised). Decoration is added to this pattern. The
tempo is a medium speed. The tabla enters playing the Jhaptal
Tala.
Keyword: Tihai A short rhythm played three times to signal a
change to another section of music.
Listen Now!5Version 1 Gat 1WALT to identify the key musical
features of three different recordings of the Rag Desh.0.58Sitar
and Tabla improvise to each other. Tihai ends this at
3.01.3:11Tihai.3:27Tihai.3:40Tihai.3:55Sitar starts to improvise in
triplets (this is called chand). Tihai.5.02Improvisations with four
notes per beat. Sitar and tabla alternate again. Tihai used to make
end of solos.
Keyword: Chand The use of triplets (three notes grouped
together!).
Listen Now!Version 1 Gat 2WALT to identify the key musical
features of three different recordings of the Rag Desh.9:27 end,
Gat 2 This is faster than the first gat and uses tintal. 10:10 in
this final part of the rag the drone strings are strummed to create
a rhythmic effect called jhalla.Piece ends with a Tihai.
Keyword: Jhalla Rhythmic effect created by strumming the drone
strings on the sitar.
Listen Now!
Quiz What do you know?Hands up speed round!Who performed Version
1 of the Rag Desh?
What are the 3 sections in the piece called?
What is a Tihai?
What are the two instruments used in Version 1 of the Rag
Desh?
What are the names of the two Tals used in Version 1?
What is the word that describes using Triplets?
Did you know: In India grasping ones ears means repentance or
sincerity.
Documentary on India Watch a little, have a break!WALT to
identify the key musical features of three different recordings of
the Rag Desh.Anagrams Round - StarterWALT to identify the key
musical features of three different recordings of the Rag
Desh.Unscramble the keywords about Indian music we learned last
week.P L A AH A L L J AS T A I RN A C D HT H A I IT A GL A B T AA L
A PJ H A L L AS I T A RC H A N DT I H A IG A TT A B L A
Version 2WALT to identify the key musical features of three
different recordings of the Rag Desh.Mhara Janam Maran performed by
Chiranji Lal Tanwar (voice).Instruments Used:
VoiceSarangiSarodPakhawajCymbals Tabla
Fretless bowed instrument held in the lap. 3 main strings and up
to 36 sympathetic strings.
Fretless plucked instrument. Shorter than the sitar. Played with
a big wooden plectrum.
Large double headed drum.
You know what these are
What am I?!
Many Indians find toilet paper repellent and consider it cleaner
to splash water with the left hand. Version 2WALT to identify the
key musical features of three different recordings of the Rag
Desh.Structure: 2 sectionsAlapBhajan (song)
The lyrics of the song translate to:
You are my companion through life and death and I cannot forget
you night and day. My heart pines for you and I feel totally
restless when I am not able to see you.
The song is a Hindu devotional song from Rajasthan and is known
as bhajan. The song tells of tender waiting in longing anticipation
of the arrival of Lord Krishana in the morning.
India is the world's number one producer of vegetarian cheese.
Version 2WALT to identify the key musical features of three
different recordings of the Rag Desh.Tal (Rhythm) Used
Keherwa Tal (8 beat)
12345678XXWXAlap 0.00 0.50
Opens with a short introduction where the sarod player and then
voice vocalises the melody, exploring the notes of the rag. In free
time.
Taj Mahal in India is a gift of love. Alap
Version 2WALT to identify the key musical features of three
different recordings of the Rag Desh.0.50 Bhajan. This is a fixed
composition (learnt by Master-Student tradition). The tabla joins
in at 0.50. 1.10 Short Sarod solo.
1.22 Sarangai solo. Then the dynamics and tempo increase and the
music becomes fast and exciting. A pattern is establised as
follows:-
1.32 Verse, First line as Chorus, Sarod and Sarangai
3.04 Verse, First line as Chorus, Sarod and Sarangai
4.50 Verse, First line as Chorus, Sarod and Sarangai
Piece ends with a short tihai.No Gat or Gat 2!
Version 3WALT to identify the key musical features of three
different recordings of the Rag Desh.Performed by: Steve Gorn, and
Benjy Wertheimer.Instruments Used: BansuriEsrajTamburaTabla
Bansuri is a bamboo flute with no keys.
Esraj is a bowed string instrument played sitting on the floor
like the sarangi, but with frets like a sitar has a number of
sympathetic and drone stringsA simple instrument with only four
strings and a resonator. It is used to provide the drone.Me
again!Version 3WALT to identify the key musical features of three
different recordings of the Rag Desh.The Structure has 3
movements:AlapGat 1 (slow)Gat 2 (fast)Tals Used:
Rupak Tal (7 beats): (3 + 2 + 2)
2 3 4 5 6 7W X X
Ektel Tal (12 beats): (2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2)2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12X X W X W XVersion 3 - AlapWALT to identify the key musical
features of three different recordings of the Rag Desh.00.00
8.35
A slow and unmeasured section. The tambura plays a drone using
the notes Sa (C tonic) and Pa (G Dominant). The bansuri then comes
in, Exploring notes from the rag itself. Develops fragments into a
more developed melodic part.Version 3 Gat 1 & Gat 2WALT to
identify the key musical features of three different recordings of
the Rag Desh.00.00 Gat 1. This is at a slow tempo. A lyrical
unaccompanied melody for the bansuri.
0.31 Tabla enters.
0.43 Fixed composition starts. Improvisation starts and music
becomes agitated. Bansuri plays gat and Tabla improvises.
3.32 They then swap over. Tihais are heard to mark out section
ends.
4.41 Last Tihai leads into..
Gat 2 (Part 3) 4.41 End Gat 2 A fast tempo (drut) in ektal
Tala.