As far as Asian/Hindustani classical goes – we always have individual performers who improvise in every performance. No performance of a musician is same. It is because they carry the music in their heart. When they enter a house or an auditorium – music enters with them. Not the notes and the grammar of it.
Its quite a contrast in western world music – where music goes mostly by the rules. If one note is wrong, the audience knows. In Hindustani classical/folk songs/ Asian culture – we have more mature audience which reacts to the impromptu performances in a positive way.
Its a contrast in another way – In an orchestra there are many players – and there is a conductor who manages all the notes not to clash with one another. Its a group effort. A more organized effort to put the things in place. But we are still far more individualistic and while in fact we have a denser population than the West.
Music is like a painting. No artist can make the same painting again.
Music is very subjective. It cant be taught like a physical training.
Watch this video why I say this…
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Well music is subjective. There are many who love Indian classical music and there are many who don’t like Indian classical music and think its boring. Some people love Rock music and some hate it. Same with any other genre of music.
“As far as Asian/Hindustani classical goes – we always have individual performers who improvise in every performance. No performance of a musician is same. It is because they carry the music in their heart. When they enter a house or an auditorium – music enters with them. Not the notes and the grammar of it.”
But aren’t the Raagas the same? So by that yardstick isn’t the grammar the same?
“Its quite a contrast in western world music – where music goes mostly by the rules. If one note is wrong, the audience knows.”
I don’t think the ordinary audience knows the notes. They react to music they love just like everybody else in any part of the world.
“Its a contrast in another way – In an orchestra there are many players – and there is a conductor who manages all the notes not to clash with one another. Its a group effort. A more organized effort to put the things in place.”
That happens in huge orchestras where they are so many players and they are playing previously agreed or practiced songs. They do not create any new music suddenly.
Music creation happens when a band is composing the song and they are just playing around with different sounds. I don’t think they are using sheets of music when composing a song.
“But aren’t the Raagas the same? So by that yardstick isn’t the grammar the same?”
Yes the grammer is there but in each performance the pauses, the creativity is different. Notes remain the same .
“I don’t think the ordinary audience knows the notes. They react to music they love just like everybody else in any part of the world. ”
“That happens in huge orchestras where they are so many players and they are playing previously agreed or practiced songs. They do not create any new music suddenly.”
I was not talking about ppl understanding music – but you see every performance is same in western music. A beethovan creation today will be played the same way – note by note. Whereas a raaga created by someone like Alladiya Khan or Bhimsen Joshi will be always played differently in all performances – not note by note.
Thats why I said there is more individuality and impromptu-ness (i dont know if such word exists) in Hindustani classica music. Which is not there in western music.
“Music creation happens when a band is composing the song and they are just playing around with different sounds. I don’t think they are using sheets of music when composing a song.”
Just re-iterating what I already mentioned in my above comment. Yes, music creation happens in a different way maybe but have you heard a different version of Symphony 5 ? They may just pump up or reduce the tempo a bit – but all music is same – note-by-note.