The Drone

Since the Indian Classical music is modal music based on relations between a fixed sound, the tonic and the successive notes. The tonic needs to be heard continuously.The sustained accompaniment of the tonic allows the performer to check his/ her voice to avoid dissonance.This constant tonic is provided by the instrument Taanpura . It has four or sometimes 5/6 strings . The drone is accomplished (explained for a four string taanpura) by playing

      .    .                       .     .
Pa, Sa, Sa, Sa or Ma, Sa, Sa, Sa ( If a particular raag does not include Pa but has Ma)

Some times it is set to

         .    .                     .    .     
Dha Sa, Sa, Sa or Ni, Sa, Sa, Sa if the raag has prominence of Dha or Ni.

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