Difference Between Indian Music & Western Music

Mannil Intha Kaathalantri Yaarum Vaazhthal Koodumo

Ennam Kanni Paavaiyinri Aezhu Svaranthaan Paadumo

Penmai Intri Mannil Inbam Aethadaa

Kannai Moodi Kanavil Vaazhum Maanidaa, sung by the late SP Balasubramanian. Such a memorable song sang by holding his breath. Our deepest sorrow to the legendary singer.

You are listening to music every day. But depending on the mood and surrounding you listen to different music like Indian music or Western music. But what is the difference between Indian music and Western music?

Tonal System

Based on melody, almost all Indian music has single notes to play in order. Western music has a group of notes called chords played simultaneously.

In the Indian tradition, the selection of intervals for a scale is such that playing the notes creates a specific mood or sentiment, called a raga. There are many ragas, and each has its own mood and its own corresponding microtonal scale based on the natural harmonic series, the natural law of vibrations.

The tonal system of Western music, based on an artificial division of the octave, divides into twelve equal intervals. This means first that the notes are out of tune, but also that the number of intervals available for musical expression is very limited, as compared to the infinite possibilities of the natural harmonic series in Indian music.

Intervals of just intonation

The overtones are the exact multiplications of the frequency of the basic sound. For instance, the below image shows that the dominant sound is 200 Hz and the first overtone is the second sound is 400Hz. Similarly, the subsequent overtones.

This sequence of sounds is the harmonic series and represents a collection of natural intervals. They contain the sound intervals of nature, also called intervals of just intonation.

Microtonal

The harmonic series can be in intervals of all sizes and degrees. An interval, or the difference between two intervals, can be so small. Such a minute difference called a microtone and scales based on the harmonic series called microtonal.

Whole Notes & Half Notes

All the interval ratios in the harmonic series expressed by whole numbers. So the characterizes natural intervals, or intervals of just intonation is whole number ratios.

By applying whole number ratios, you can make a collection of intervals within an octave, from the smallest to gradually larger. These intervals then make up a series of notes from which you can select the ones used on a scale.

In the European tradition, they used a tonal system long back with twelve intervals in the octave, making up a series of notes called halftones. From these one selects the ones used in different scales. Originally, these twelve notes of western music were under just intonation.

Distinct Genres

Western music comprises 10 distinct genres- Blues, Classical, Country, Disco, Hip hop, Jazz, Metal, Pop, Reggae and Rock. Each genre has 100 samples of 30 seconds' length each. The Indian music has only top 5 genres - Classical, Hip-hop, Jazz, Pop and Reggae.

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