An Introduction to the Indian Melodic System of Music
-- includes links to audio examples --

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Elements of Indian Music presents the 72 modes of the Indian melodic system within the realm of Western music theory. This book is a first for presenting these musical archetypes to composers of any genre and anyone interested in world music.

Indian music has intrigued the West for a long time, but hasn’t always been accessible because of the absence of a systematic approach to theory and repertoire. Just as the Western harmonic system is well developed, the Indian melodic system is very advanced and equally established. The intermingling of these two worlds can inspire new, exceptional sonic landscapes.

Useful literature on the evolution of the Indian melodic system is also included, with notes on how it can be used as a modus operandi by Western musicians who wish to apply Indian scales in Western compositions and improvisations.

This book contains a set of 12 etudes for piano and transcriptions for classical guitar. Each etude is about one minute in length and utilizes notes from a particular Indian scale. An intermediate to advanced skill level is required to perform each etude. Practicing and performing these studies is an excellent way to expand one’s musical perspective beyond traditional diatonic scales.


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Contents:

SECTION A
Preface by George Brooks
Acknowledgements & Introduction

The Melodic Structure of Indian Music

Melakarta and Thaat
Raaga
The Quintessence of Indian Music
Congruence Between Musical Cultures
Indian Theory vs. Western Theory – A Unified Approach
Key Signatures and Time Signatures
Staff Position, Scale Degrees, Intervals and Scale-Chord Compatibility
Standard & Adjusted Scale Degrees for Melakarta Scales
Approach to Chords
The Circle of Intervals
The 72 Melakarta Scales (Standard Scale Degrees)
The 72 Melakarta Scales (Adjusted Scale Degrees)
Relative Modes of Melakarta Scales
The Method Behind the Melakarta System

SECTION B

The 72 Melakarta Scales (Staff Notation- Key of C)

Chakra 1
Chakra 2
Chakra 3
Chakra 4
Chakra 5
Chakra 6
Chakra 7
Chakra 8
Chakra 9
Chakra 10
Chakra 11
Chakra 12

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Melakarta Scale Workouts

Piano Etudes using Melakarta Scales:

Etude in Melakarta #01 – Kana-kAngi
Etude in Melakarta #10 – NAtaka-priya
Etude in Melakarta #16 – Chakra-vAkam
Etude in Melakarta #19 – JhankAra-dhwani
Etude in Melakarta #27 – Sara-sAngi
Etude in Melakarta #36 – Chala-nAtA
Etude in Melakarta #37 – SAlagam
Etude in Melakarta #45 – Shuba-panthu-varAli
Etude in Melakarta #51 – KAma-vardhini
Etude in Melakarta #59 – Dharma-vathi
Etude in Melakarta #65 – Mecha-Kalyani
Etude in Melakarta #72 – Rasika-priya

Classical Guitar Etudes using Melakarta Scales:

Etude in Melakarta #01 – Kana-kAngi
Etude in Melakarta #10 – NAtaka-priya
Etude in Melakarta #16 – Chakra-vAkam
Etude in Melakarta #19 – JhankAra-dhwani
Etude in Melakarta #27 – Sara-sAngi
Etude in Melakarta #36 – Chala-nAtA
Etude in Melakarta #37 – SAlagam
Etude in Melakarta #45 – Shuba-panthu-varAli
Etude in Melakarta #51 – KAma-vardhini
Etude in Melakarta #59 – Dharma-vathi
Etude in Melakarta #65 – Mecha-Kalyani
Etude in Melakarta #72 – Rasika-priya

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About the Author

radhikaiyer.com

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NOTE: We are now shipping to outside of the USA again.
Sadly, the costs are very high due to shipping changes with the virus. But also, since we have lost several books in route to Europe, we now only ship with very good tracking info.
We will look to improve these costs as we can. Many thanks for your support.

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