Flash Cards: Making Music

Nāda is the musical sound created through a combination of life force (prāṇa) and fire (agni).

Aadhara Shruti, or Aadhar Swar, is the base note according to which music is played or sung.

A Raga is a group of notes that follow specific rules to create a melody.

Tala, or Taal, is a rhythm cycle comprising a number of beats.

Laya refers to the tempo or speed of a piece of music, which can vary from slow to fast.

Aroh, or Arohana, is the ascending scale of a Raga.

Avroh, or Avarohana, is the descending scale of a Raga.

Sargam is a pattern of notes used in Indian music.

Harmony is singing multiple voices together that blend different notes pleasingly.

A Canon is when different groups sing the same melody but start at different times.

Upadrava is the connective musical interlude in a Sāma-gāna, represented through instrumental segments.

Bhaktis are the five sections in a Sāma-gāna composition, which include Prastāva, Udgītha, Pratihāra, Upadrava, and Nidhana.

Musical layers represent all the different sounds in a piece, such as various instruments and vocals.

Tempo affects the speed of the music and can shift throughout a song.

Music expresses emotions, such as love, grief, and joy, through its melody, rhythm, and lyrics.

The Sāma-Veda is one of the four Vedas, focusing on melodic chanting and devotional music.

The Udgātā is the head Ritvij who leads the Sāma-Veda chanting in a Sāma-gāna.

Vedic music embodies deep spiritual traditions and a harmonious bridge between humanity and divinity.

Chanting Shlokas fosters clear enunciation, coordination, and a connection to tradition.