Why Did The Beatles Play
Indian Musical Instruments ?
Musical Instruments from
India
There are many different styles of
music in India and regional preferences. A wide variety of
Indian musical instruments give different sounds to
classical, popular and folk music. Some of these instruments
are very old.
Western instruments are used too
sometimes. Violins can be heard in some classical recordings
and the harmonium is used in some popular music. Three basic
types of home grown instrument is used; strings (plucked,
bowed or struck), wind and percussion.
The Sitar is the most familiar
instrument in the West. This is because The Beatles and
other rock bands used it during the 1960s and 1970s. George
Harrison studied under the prominent player, Ravi Shankar.
It is difficult to learn to play and
constant practice is required. There are sympathetic strings
to complement the normal strings. In India, it is played in
Hindustani classical music. This is a traditional form,
which evolved in the North.
The Sarod is another classical string
instrument. It has twenty five strings, is similar to a lute
and is played with a plectrum.
Percussion is very important to Indian
composers. The Tabla is very popular; again one of the
Indian musical instruments to be familiar to Beatles
devotees, and is played in Indian classical, religious and
popular music.
Tabla is a pair of hand drums that
vary in size and tone. Another form of percussion called the
Dhol is played mainly in the Punjab and Gujarat districts.
It is a double sided barrel drum and is used in religious
music and to set the rhythm for dance music.
Flutes are used a lot and with several
different versions. The Bansuri is an alto flute that is
used in Pakistan as well as India. It is made from a single
length of bamboo and has six or seven open finger holes.
It's mostly played in Hindustani classical music.
Folk music is an ancient form with
many styles. There are some Indian musical instruments, with
a very distinctive sound, that have no real equivalent in
the Western world. The Sarinda is a three stringed folk
instrument that is played with a bow.
There is a rich cultural heritage in
India and the music reflects the history and beliefs of the
people. Unfortunately, most people in the West only get to
hear the more pop influenced Indian songs, as background
music in curry houses.
Other forms are worth exploring. Of
all the instruments from India invented, the Jal Tarang has
to be the strangest. It's a series of rice bowls, each tuned
according to the level of water they contain. It's not heard
much these days, which is a pity. Perhaps U2 could make use
of it on their next album? Perhaps you too!
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