My OpenLearn Profile
- Personalise your OpenLearn profile
- Save your favourite content
- Get recognition for your learning
This page was published over five years ago. Please be aware that due to the passage of time, the information provided on this page may be out of date or otherwise inaccurate, and any views or opinions expressed may no longer be relevant. Some technical elements such as audio-visual and interactive media may no longer work. For more detail, see our Archive and Deletion Policy.
The music of North India is mesmerising, and shrouded in tradition and culture. There, raga is the art of life - it is the music of the mind. The tracks in this album focus on three instruments - the tabla, the alap and the voice - all central to the existence of Raga. Each instrument is broken down into the individual sounds that make up the intricate compositions. Performances on all three complete this introduction to the fascinating sound of Raga. This material is drawn from The Open University course AA317, Words and music.
- Duration 25 mins
- Updated Monday 8th March 2010
- Posted under Music
Track 1: Indian Raga Music
A short introduction to this album
© The Open University 2009
- Read a transcript of this track - you'll need a PDF viewer, such as Adobe's free Adobe Reader
- Download this track from iTunes U - you'll need Apple's free iTunes software
- See details of the Open University course this album comes from
- Discover more from The Open University and iTunesU at open.edu/itunes
Tracks in this podcast:
| Track | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Raga Music | A short introduction to this album Play now Indian Raga Music |
| 2 | The Tabla | Musician Shubhasis Bhattacharjee describes the Tabla, and how it is played. Play now The Tabla |
| 3 | Tabla Solo | Shubhasis Bhattacharjee shows how compositions are put together using the Tabla and his voice. Play now Tabla Solo |
| 4 | The Alap | Debashish Bhattacharjee plays alap and sings. He explains the story behind the music, what it means to the performer and how the style has spread through generations. Play now The Alap |
| 5 | Bata Chalata: Composition | Composition in Indian music, looking at equal footings to both instrument and voice. Play now Bata Chalata: Composition |
| 6 | Voice and Instrument | The difference between voice and instrument, and their different qualities. Play now Voice and Instrument |
| 7 | Vocal forms | The differences between each method of playing the instruments. Play now Vocal forms |
About the author
Tags, Ratings and Social Bookmarking
Ratings
Other content you may like
free course icon
History & The Arts
BA (Honours) Music
On our music degree, you'll learn how music is created, study a wide range of styles, and unlock your own creativity. This degree will broaden and deepen your understanding of musical practices, encompassing western art music, jazz, popular music, and non-western musics. You'll develop the technical skills to analyse music in different styles, and the critical skills to discuss music in relation to its cultural contexts. You'll also acquire critical and reflective skills to develop your own musical practice. Add to that some expert guidance in the use of technology to create and record music, and you'll not just gain a degree but a passionate pursuit.
free course icon
History & The Arts
Diploma of Higher Education in Music
This diploma will broaden and deepen your understanding of music through study of a wide range of genres (including western art music, jazz, popular music, and non-western musics). You'll combine practical activities, which involve making your own recordings, with learning about the scientific basis for music and how it is heard and perceived. You'll develop the technical skills to analyse and create music in different styles, and examine the technologies that are used to produce, manipulate and transmit music.
article icon
History & The Arts
Musicians, loops and the longest piece ever
Dr Robert Samuels explores looping in music and demonstrates how technology can make musical use of the sound of a dog eating a carrot.
article icon
History & The Arts
Comparing notes: Reading a musical score
Comparing musical scores - even of simple melodies - needs practice, but it is a relatively easy skill to acquire. Keeping the beat and spotting repeating rhythms while listening is a good place to start.
video icon
History & The Arts
Lazarus: David Bowie's bio-obituary
What does David Bowie's last single tell us about his attitude to a death he almost certainly was expecting?
article icon
History & The Arts
High Scores
Malcolm Lindsay, one of the founding members of Deacon Blue, talks about the influence of technology on music so far, and what the future holds.
article icon
History & The Arts
Is Adele's decision to keep 25 off Spotify going to change the music industry?
Adele has sold shedloads of her new album - and kept it off streaming services. But she might be fighting a losing battle...
activity icon
History & The Arts
20th century composers: making the connections
Explore the world of 20th century classical and avant-garde music through the composers and the fascinating connections that exist between them.
free course icon
Level
History & The Arts
Composition and improvisation in cross-cultural perspective
Improvisation and composition are words frequently used in the western world to describe the creation of music. But are they really two distinct processes, or are they aspects of the same phenomenon? In this free course, Composition and improvisation in cross-cultural perspective, we will explore the relationship between the two using examples of Asian music to help us clarify the concepts.
©1999-2020. All rights reserved. The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its secondary activity of credit broking.
We invite you to discuss this subject, but remember this is a public forum.
Please be polite, and avoid your passions turning into contempt for others. We may delete posts that are rude or aggressive, or edit posts containing contact details or links to other websites.