Indian Classical Music Vocabulary

A bamboo flute which sometimes performs the raga in Indian Classical Music 

• Sarangi

• Bansuri

• Tabla

• Sitar

The rhythmic pattern used in Indian Classical Music

• Tala

• Tabla

• Raga

• Jhala

Large plucked string instrument which performs the raga in Indian Classical Music

• Alap

• Sitar

• Sarangi

• Alap

Middle, more rhythmic section which includes the tabla

• Tala

• Gat

• Jhala

• Tanpura

Final section, in which the raga and tabla build in complexity and the music becomes more exciting

• Gat

• Jhala

• Alap

• Tala

Set of small hand drums used to play the tala in Indian Classical Music

• Jhala

• Raga

• Tala

• Tabla

One consistent note, or possibly two or three long, drawn out notes which accompany the melody

• Raga

• Tala

• Drone

• Tanpura

Large bowed string instrument which performs the raga in Indian Classical Music

• Bansuri

• Sarangi

• Sitar

• Tanpura

Slow/free, heavily embellished improvised opening section

• Gat

• Jhala

• Alap

• Drone

The melody in Indian Classical Music

• Tala

• Raga

• Alap

• Sitar