# Making Music

## Overview
This chapter introduces students to the various elements and processes involved in making music. It emphasizes how sound is structured through melody, rhythm, voice, instruments, and emotional expression. Activities encourage learners to analyze songs, sing harmoniously, chant shlokas, and explore cultural and spiritual connections to music. The chapter also integrates ancient Indian musical traditions, particularly the role of **Sāma-Vēda** chanting in Vedic rituals.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. Understanding Nāda (Sound)
- Music begins with **Nāda**, the sacred sound formed by the merging of:
- **Na**: life force (prāṇa)
- **Da**: fire (agni)
- Referenced from: *Saṅgīta-ratnākara*

### 2. Musical Terms and Concepts
- **Swara (Note)**: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni
- **Tala/Taal**: Rhythmic cycle
- **Laya**: Speed or tempo
- **Aroh / Avroh**: Ascending and descending scales
- **Sargam**: Musical notation pattern using notes
- **Raga**: Melodic framework
- **Aadhara Shruti**: Base note reference

### 3. Layers in Music
Music is composed of **layers** such as:
- **Vocals**
- **Instruments**
- **Melody and Harmony**
- **Lyrics**
Students are guided to notice these in various songs like:
- *Barso Re Megha*
- *O Palan Haare*
- *Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana*

They observe:
- Types of instruments used
- Vocal style (male/female/duet)
- Tempo (fast/slow)
- Pitch variation
- Mood and emotional tone of the song

### 4. Activity 5.1 – Exploring Songs
Students form groups, choose three songs, and record:
- Song title, year, theme, genre, artist, composer
- Instruments, pitch, tempo
- Mood, number of sound layers
- Emotions (rasa) the song evokes

### 5. Activity 5.2 – Measuring Singing Accuracy
Steps:
- Sing a familiar song
- Record and review
- Self-assess pitch and rhythm accuracy
- Seek peer feedback to improve

### 6. Harmony and Canon Singing
- **Harmony**: Multiple voices blending together
- **Canon**: Same melody sung by groups at different times (e.g., *Hum Honge Kamyaab*)
- Teaches coordination, timing, and team effort
- Encouraged to form multiple groups to try complex layering


### 7. Ancient Vedic Musical Traditions

#### Sāma-Vēda and the Ritual of Music
- Music has deep spiritual roots in India, especially through **Sāma-Vēda**.
- During a **Śhrauta-Yajña** (Vedic fire ritual), a group of priests (ritvijs) chant verses from Sāma-Vēda with musical precision.

#### Roles of Sāma-Vēda Priests (Udgātṛi-Gaṇa)
1. **Prastotā**: Begins with the **Prastāva** (introduction)
2. **Udgātā**: Sings the **Udgītha** (main section)
3. **Pratihartā**: Continues with **Pratihāra**
4. **Udgātā** (again): Performs **Upadrava** (musical interlude)
5. **All Ritvijs**: Conclude with **Nidhana** (ending)

- **Subrahmaṇya**: A fourth priest who chants special invocations
- **Yajamāna-patnī**: Plays the **Śhatatantrī Vīṇā** (hundred-stringed instrument) and sings

This structure mirrors the idea of layered composition and harmonious collaboration, showing music as a medium to connect with divinity.

### 8. Activity 5.3 – Chanting Shlokas
Students chant in unison the prayer:

> ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। मृत्योर् मा अमृतं गमय। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

**Meaning**:
"Lead me from untruth to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. Peace, peace, peace."

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## New Terms and Definitions

| Term | Simple Definition |
|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Nāda | Sacred sound; created by breath (life force) and fire |
| Swara | Musical note (Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni) |
| Tala / Taal | Rhythm cycle in music |
| Laya | Speed or tempo of the music |
| Canon | A group song where each part starts the same melody at different times |
| Harmony | Pleasant sound formed by combining different notes or voices |
| Sāma-Vēda | One of the four Vedas, related to music and chanting |
| Udgātā | Lead priest who sings the main melody in Sāma-Vēda |
| Nidhana | The concluding part of a Sāma-Vēda musical chant |
| Ritvij | Vedic priest who performs rituals and chanting |

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## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)

1. **What are the seven notes (swaras) in Indian music?**
**Answer**: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni
*Explanation*: These are the basic musical notes used in Indian classical music.

2. **What is ‘laya’ in music?**
**Answer**: The speed or tempo of a song.
*Explanation*: It can be slow, medium, or fast.

3. **What do we call a musical prayer with layers and timing?**
**Answer**: Canon
*Explanation*: A form where singers begin the same melody at different times.

### Medium (2)

4. **What is the function of ‘Nidhana’ in Sāma-Vēda chanting?**
**Answer**: It is the concluding section sung together by all ritvijs.
*Explanation*: It creates a powerful and unified ending.

5. **What are ‘layers’ in a musical composition?**
**Answer**: Different sounds like vocals, drums, instruments played together.
*Explanation*: They combine to form a complete musical piece.

### Difficult (3)

6. **What role does the ‘Yajamāna-patnī’ play in the Vedic ritual?**
**Answer**: She plays the Śhatatantrī Vīṇā and sings during Sāma-gāna.
*Explanation*: She supports the musical ritual with instrumental and vocal elements.

7. **How is a canon different from normal group singing?**
**Answer**: In a canon, groups start the same melody at different times.
*Explanation*: This creates harmony with layered overlapping voices.

8. **Name and describe the five parts of Sāma-gāna.**
**Answer**: Prastāva (intro), Udgītha (main), Pratihāra (extension), Upadrava (interlude), Nidhana (conclusion)
*Explanation*: These are sung in a structured order by different ritvijs.

### Very Difficult (2)

9. **Explain the spiritual significance of music in Vedic rituals.**
**Answer**: Music in Sāma-Vēda connects human beings to divine energy, symbolizing unity in diversity.
*Explanation*: It creates harmony between sound, spirit, and nature.

10. **What qualities must a student develop while practicing harmony and canon singing?**
**Answer**: Timing, listening, team coordination, and pitch control.
*Explanation*: These skills are essential for group musical performance.

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