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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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.

Did you know: Firewalking started in India as a way for people 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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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.