Performance Evaluation Criteria

South and Middle East Asian Music

• This unit explores how different historical events shaped the music of South and Middle East Asia.
• Various musical instruments and vocal forms of the region are studied.

Indian Carnatic Music

• Carnatic music is primarily based on ragas (melodic scales) and talas (rhythmic cycles).
• There are 7 talas and 72 basic ragas.
• Key composers include Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, and Shyama Shastri.
• Carnatic music is deeply devotional and aims to connect with Brahman or God.
• Hindu teachings highlight music as a path to reaching divinity.
• Gods are associated with their own musical instruments.

Indian Music - Mughals & Hindus

• Territories controlled by Mughals called Hindustan.
• Territories ruled by Hindu kings called Carnatic.
• Differentiates the two branches of Indian music (Hindustani and Carnatic).

Carnatic Music Instruments

• Veena: A stringed instrument with seven strings over 24 frets, a large resonator, a tapered neck, and a downward-curving tuning box..
• Udukkai: An hourglass-shaped membranous drum.
• Thavil: A barrel-shaped drum carved from jackfruit wood, having animal membrane on both sides.
• Shanka: A conch shell.
• Nadaswaram: A wood and metal wind instrument with a long tube and seven finger holes.
• Mridangam: A drum made from hollowed jackfruit wood, covered with goatskin on both sides and connected using straps.
• Kanjira: A small, handheld drum resembling a tambourine.
• Morsing: A Carnatic percussion instrument with prongs and a metal stick.
• Ghatam: A clay pot reinforced with metal (brass, copper, and iron) fillings.

Hindustani Music

• Hindustani music is influenced by Persian culture.
• It has varied performance styles due to its organic development.
• Sitar: A long-necked instrument with 17 strings, including playing strings, drone strings, and sympathetic strings.
• Tabla: A pair of Indian drums (Bayan (large-metal) and Dayan (smaller-wood)). The Dayan has a black spot to create bell-like timbre.
• Sarod: A bass Rebab with strings for playing, drone, and sympathetic functions; no frets.
• Sarangi: A bowed string instrument with three to four playing strings and several sympathetic strings. Pitch is determined by sliding fingernail against the string, not the fingerboard.

Vocal Styles

• Kheyal: A highly improvisational Urdu vocal style, influenced by gender roles and architecture of the time.
• Gazal: Originally a poetic recitation from Arabia, it arrived in India in the 12th century.
• Thumri: A light classical music style with romantic and devotional themes about Krishna
• Dhrupad: An older classical, heavy, masculine style of singing about victories of kings and mythology.
• Dhamar: A more romantic version of Dhrupad.
• Tarana: A fast-paced singing style with meaningless syllables.

Performance Task - Indian and Israeli Folk Music

• Practice the song with group members.
• Add dance steps, props, and costumes for creativity.
• Prepare for Thursday's performance.

Performance Task - Criteria

• Lyrics/Articulation: Clear, easily understood lyrics and pronunciation.
• Tone quality: Pleasant and free-flowing voices.
• Creativity/Props/Costume: Creative presentation, original props and costumes matching the song.
• Music sound: Appropriate music/instrument choice, including optional alternative instrument choices

Test your knowledge on the key aspects of performance evaluation. This quiz covers elements such as clarity, creativity, tone quality, and adherence to guidelines. Perfect for students preparing for presentations and performances.