Music - The Heart Healer

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Music, the name itself is lyrical. As if the 'seven notes' flow in a single word. Music is the same wherever you go - The seven notes denote its existence and the songs exist from it. Music has delighted the singers and audience from time unknown. The Raags are considered to be an integral part of Music. Nothing is complete without them. The same music is given different names - as in the south it is known as the Carnatic Shastriya Sangeet and to the north it is termed as Hindustani Shastriya Sangeet or the Indian Classical Music. In any musical style, the grammar and the way each notes are pronounced are taken care of.

There are basically twelve Swaras (Notes). They are grouped in saptak (octave) out of which seven are Shuddhas (pure) and the rest five are called Vikrit (sharp/flat).

The seven shuddha (pure) notes are:
Sa Shadja
Re Rishabh
Ga Gandhar
Ma Madhyam
Pa Pancham
Dha Dhaivat
Ni Nishad

And the Vikrit Notes are:
Komal Re (flat)
Komal Ga (flat)
Tivra Ma (sharp)
Komal Dha (flat)
Komal Ni (flat)

Hence, when sang together they come out:
Sa Shadja
Komal Re (flat)
Re Rishabh
Komal Ga (flat)
Ga Gandhar
Ma Madhyam
Tivra Ma (sharp)
Pa Pancham
Komal Dha (flat)
Dha Dhaivat
Komal Ni (flat)
Ni Nishad

The seven notes are sung in three ways:
Aaroha: Ascending of the notes. Here each note is higher than the preceding note.
Example: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni

Avaroha: Descending of the notes. Here each note is lower than the preceding note.
Example: Ni, Dha, Pa, Ma, Ga, Re, Sa

These are just a basic information on music. Get to know more about through from Classical Music 101: The Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Classical Music by Plotkin, Fred. Coralhub.com provides for the online shopping of this book at 14% discounted rated.

Nuances of Hindustani Classical Music

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Book: Nuances of Hindustani Classical Music
Author: Dr. Hema Hirlekar
ISBN: 9788178062068
Page: 200
Price: INR 395
Publisher: Unicorn Books

For those who listen to Hindustani classical music or those who are looking to improve their knowledge for better appreciation of the music, 'Nuances of Hindustani Classical Music" written by Dr. Hema Hirlekar is the ideal choice.

Hindustani classical music has become very popular in the last few years. Concerts held all over the world are packed to capacity. Statistics reveals that only a handful of audience truly appreciate the classical music with any degree of knowledge. This book aims to lift the rest to total enjoyment at par with the handful circle.

The canopy of Hindustani classical music is vast. There are many books in the market that explore Hindustani music from different angles, sometimes focussing on just one part such as Khayal. Refreshingly, Hema Hirlekar has produced a unique blend that is at once easy for a raw listener yet comprehensive for highly initiated. It is organised for extremely easy understanding of the musical terms, the music, the genres, the gharanas, and the concerts.

Some special features of the book:

* It explains all aspects of Hindustani classical music ably supported with lively anecdotes.
* It carries a useful glossary of prevalent terms and explanations, and not just with dictionary meanings.
* A dedicated chapter on how to appreciate music, what to expect from a concert and what, when and how to listen, is included.
* An interesting take on popular raags unlike in any other book, describes the raag, its features, moods, rasas, and related popular songs sung at specific times.

The recommendations by renowned vocalist Pt. Vikas Kashalkar, classical flutist Pt. Keshav Ginde and dean of music faculty, Delhi University Dr. Anjali Mittal make the book stand out from the rest. A CD revealing the finer points of the music accompanies the book.

Divine Weeks

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Most of us go through a stage in our life where we really want to do or try something but most of never take that step. 33 Days tells the story of a group of southern California rock band members who did take the step. Three of the four members had never been on their own on July 29, 1987 when they climbed into a rented van and left LA for a national tour. They had no idea of how they would be received nor what affect the trip would have on each of them.

Bill See, the author of the book and the singer/leader of the group, felt the urge to break away from an unhappy home life and believed at the age of 22 he was ready to let his music help others break away from their own problems. For three years his band, Divine Weeks, had been playing around in the LA area. They had been received well enough that Bill knew they could become a national name.

His closest friend, Rajesh Makwana, was the guitarist in the group and was having an extremely hard time leaving his Indian family. Their culture did not joyfully accept his band association. Raj had been subject also to much taunting both in England before the family moved to the states and then in this country. Bill was the closest and best friend he had ever had. So Raj was definitely in on the idea of the tour since music had been the best release from his somewhat unhappy life.

Another of Bill's close friends was George Edmondson who was not only the band's bassist but had been dubbed by some to be the best bassist in the LA area. George was also fired up about the trip because he also had become somewhat depressed with his college life and wanted to see Divine Weeks become a national name. However though unhappy with college he still had plans to go on to grad school and he had become quite serious with a young lady.

Dave Smerdzinski was the fourth and final member of the group. Somewhat older and used to living on his own he had recently joined the group and become a powerful force due to his nature, his drumming ability, and his showmanship.

Ian Bader was the group's road manager and pretty much the steadying influence and caretaker of all of them.

For 33 Days they traveled through the western part of the country playing concerts in every type of venue that can be imagined. The shows were played before some packed houses and some very small groups but everywhere they were well received and built quite a following.

However they also had many problems and everything was not as easy as they had imagined it would be. Food, lodging, travel expenses in general were hard to come by for a new practically unknown band as they started out.

Each of the individuals did some growing on his own and they definitely grew as a group as their music and style spread across not only the country but even to MTV and other outlets.

There are many, many references to rock songs of the era as well as groups that were the idols to Divine Weeks. It sometimes seems to be necessary to be a fan of the music and participants to get full enjoyment from 33 Days. The author also tends to lose the thread many times because he moves from present day to past happenings without always making clean breaks.

It is however an easy read and quite enjoyable as the reader makes the trek along with these fired-up young musicians in their van as they travel the rock music venues of yesterday's scenes.

Book furnished by Bill See and Bestsellersworld.com