Saptak (scale)

The table below explains the concept of the scale for Indian classical Music.Saptak can start from any note as Sa(The first note ).

Some  Terms regarding the Swar (Notes )

Shudhha, Achal, Komal, and Teevra Swar

Achala Swar : The notes Sa and Pa are fixed on the scale .They are referred to as Achal swara (immovable).

Vikrut Swar :The other notes are Vikrut (Movable)

Komal Swar : In Vikrut swaras the notes Re, Ga , Dha, Ni can be moved below there shuddha place on the scale. They are called komal (Soft or Flat). These are shown by a small horizontal line below the note.

Teevra Swar : Only one swar Ma can become vikrut by going one note above the shuddha Ma. It is called teevra (Sharp). It is shown by a small vertical line above the note.

Saptak (Register)

In Indian Classical music 3 saptaks (Octaves) are usually utilized.

Saptak : When the set of seven notes is played in the order it is called a Saptak (i.e. Sa , Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni)

Maddhya Saptak : The normal tone of human voice, which is neither high nor low. It is called  Maddhya Saptak (Middle Octave). This has got no symbol in the notation system

Taar Saptak : The one higher than Maddhya Saptak is Taar saptak (High). The notes are high and sharp.This shown by a dot above the note. Two dots above the note imply a note of an octave higher than the Taar Saptak i.e. Ati Taar Saptak.

Mandra Saptak :The one below the Maddhya Saptak is called Mandra saptak(Low). Notes of this octave are sung or played in a low deep tone. This comprises of the saptak which is below the lower Sa of the Maddhya Saptak. Notes of this saptak are indicated by a dot below.

It's possible in case of stringed instruments such as Sitar to go to the octave lower than the Mandra saptak. It's known as the Ati Mandra Saptak. The notes of this saptak are indicated by two dots below.

In the saptak (scale) the Sa gets repeated after the Ni. The Frequency of the second Sa is twice the frequency of the first Sa. The second Sa is termed as Taar Shadja. From this Taar Shadja the same saptak gets repeated (But this time at twice the frequency of the respective swar. It's then called taar Saptak.)

Introduction

Saptak (The Scale)

The Drone

Thaat

Today's form of Raag

The meaning of Alaap

The meaning of Taan

Raag Samay Chakra

Difference between Raag and Thaat

Ornamental Melody

Raag and Ras(Emotion)

Raag formation rules

Similarities and differences in Raags

Origin of Raag Names

The general Schema of raag Presentation

The Notation System

40 Principles of Indian Classical Music