Instruments
The earliest known evidence of music activity in India was discovered on the walls of cave paintings in several parts of Madhya Pradesh. These caves were occupied by man over 10,000 years ago. Later found in this region was evidence of dance. Each instrument can explain many aspects of the culture in that particular area. For example, the tools and materials that were used can tell a lot; the hair used for a bow, the wood or clay for making the drum, or the animal hide used.
Ancient instruments are seen as an extension of the human body, using sticks and clappers. Fruit or shells may be tied to the waste to produce a rhythm. Hand gestures and chanting are also used. These ancient techniques are also seen in modern years.
The four main categories of musical instruments in India were compiled by Bharat Muni in the Matya Shastra in 200 BCE to 200 CE. These groups are divided based on how the sound is produced.
1. Stringed Instruments (Tata Vadya or Chordophones)
In this category of instruments, sound is created by the vibration of a string or chord. These vibrations are caused by the plucking or bowing on the string. The pitch and notes are determined by the tightness of the string and the strength of the pluck on the string.
Veena was the generic term for stringed instruments referred to in texts. The broader category of stringed instruments can be divided into two sub-groups: the plucked and the bowed. These two divisions can be further broken down into the fretted and non-fretted.
The first evidence of stringed instruments is harps in the shape of the hunter’s bow. The first type was played with the fingers; the second one was played with a plectrum.
Stringed instruments were a very important aspect of many Indian rituals and ceremonies. As the priests and performers sang hymns, their wives would accompany them, playing these instruments.
A later development of stringed instruments is the fingerboard variety. These instruments had a rich tone and are all produced on a single chord by altering the length allowing for a change in pitch.
The bowed category of stringed instruments usually accompanied a vocalist. They were divided into two categories: the upright and the inverted.
Ancient instruments are seen as an extension of the human body, using sticks and clappers. Fruit or shells may be tied to the waste to produce a rhythm. Hand gestures and chanting are also used. These ancient techniques are also seen in modern years.
The four main categories of musical instruments in India were compiled by Bharat Muni in the Matya Shastra in 200 BCE to 200 CE. These groups are divided based on how the sound is produced.
1. Stringed Instruments (Tata Vadya or Chordophones)
In this category of instruments, sound is created by the vibration of a string or chord. These vibrations are caused by the plucking or bowing on the string. The pitch and notes are determined by the tightness of the string and the strength of the pluck on the string.
Veena was the generic term for stringed instruments referred to in texts. The broader category of stringed instruments can be divided into two sub-groups: the plucked and the bowed. These two divisions can be further broken down into the fretted and non-fretted.
The first evidence of stringed instruments is harps in the shape of the hunter’s bow. The first type was played with the fingers; the second one was played with a plectrum.
Stringed instruments were a very important aspect of many Indian rituals and ceremonies. As the priests and performers sang hymns, their wives would accompany them, playing these instruments.
A later development of stringed instruments is the fingerboard variety. These instruments had a rich tone and are all produced on a single chord by altering the length allowing for a change in pitch.
The bowed category of stringed instruments usually accompanied a vocalist. They were divided into two categories: the upright and the inverted.
2. Wind Instruments (Sushira Vadya or Aerophones)
In this category of instruments, the sound is produced by blowing air through a hollow column. The pitch of the note can be determined by controlling the air flow passages. The melody is played by using the fingers to open and close the air passages along the instrument.
The simplest instrument in this group is the flute, which is generally made of wood or bamboo; however, there is historical evidence of them being made from red sandalwood, black woo, cane, ivory, bronze, silver, and gold. The various categories are based on the distance between the hole of the mouth piece and the first finger hole.
Excavations of the Indus civilizations revealed bird whistles made of clay, and seals which showed wind and percussion instruments. Musical instruments made of wood, bamboo, or animal hide break down and perish when buried for long periods of time. Therefore, flutes haven't survived and aren't found in excavations of past civilizations.
In the Vedas, there is a reference to specific wind instruments that were used to accompany chanting and recitation.
The wind instruments are divided into two categories: the flutes and the reed instruments.
In India, the most common types of flute are single or double flutes with one hollow tube and finger holes used for controlling the pitch of the note. However, longer horizontal flutes with a larger diameter are used to play slower passages of the lower registers. Also, smaller and shorter flutes are held vertically; they are used for faster pieces and for producing higher pitches. Double flutes are most often played by tribal musicians and are rarely used in concerts or orchestras. They resemble beak flutes and have a narrow opening at one end. References of these flutes have been discovered in the sculptures of the First Century.
Reed instruments contain one or two reeds attached to the opening in the mouthpiece. The reed(s) vibrate when air is blown into the instrument, which produces vibrations and cause the sound. The body of the reed instruments is narrow at the blowing end and gradually opens out with a bell at the farther end to enhance the volume of the sound. Extra reeds, a silver needle for adjusting and cleaning the reeds are also usually hung from the mouthpiece. Some reed instruments are said to have travelled from China to India. They may be used for special occasions, such as marriages or temple festivals.
3. Percussion Instruments (Avanaddha Vadya or Membranophones)
In this category of instruments, sound is produced by beating on animal skin, which has been stretched across a metal pot or wooden frame. The earliest references to this group were found in the Vedas. Here it mentions a holy pit dug in the ground and the hide of a buffalo or oxen was stretched across to cover it. The tail of the animal was used to strike the hide and sound was therefore produced.
There are four main categories that drums are divided into, based on shape, structure, position and placement for playing. These categories include: Oordhwaka, Ankya, Alingya, and the Damaru family. The Oordhwaka drums are placed vertically and sound is produced by striking them with sticks or fingers. The Ankya drums are held horizontally and both sides are covered with animal hides; the musician may sit on the floor and play or hang it from the neck while dancing or standing and playing. Alingya drums are held close to the body with one hand, and the other hand is used for playing it; they are made with animal hide attached to the round, wooden frame. The Damaru drums have a large range (from small to large in size) and have an hourglass shape; they are struck with the hands using sticks or fingers and hung around the neck.
4. Solid Instruments (Ghana Vadya or Idiophones)
The fourth and final group of instruments is the Ghana Vadya. These are the oldest instruments invented by man. Once these instruments have been constructed, they don’t need to be tuned before you play. In the early times, they were seen to be extensions of the body, using sticks, clappers and rods. They were closely related to household items such as pots and pans, jhanj and falams. They are best suited to accompany folk and tribal music and dance.
The fourth and final group of instruments is the Ghana Vadya. These are the oldest instruments invented by man. Once these instruments have been constructed, they don’t need to be tuned before you play. In the early times, they were seen to be extensions of the body, using sticks, clappers and rods. They were closely related to household items such as pots and pans, jhanj and falams. They are best suited to accompany folk and tribal music and dance.