Krsna Kirtana Songs
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Note Names and Production
Assuming
one is familiar with the notation system of Indian music, here is the fingerboard
on what notes correspond to which fret. Keep in mind that these notes listed
here are first the main string (String#1). The main playing string is where 90%
of all melody will be played on. Please look at the diagram before reading
onwards with the discussion. If you are unfamiliar with the notes of North
Indian music, please refer to KKSongs
North Indian Notation Page.
On
the main string, every note from suddha ma from mandra saptak (‘m) to Sa of madhya saptak
(S) has a fret. Every half-note from this interval has a fret assigned for it.
After
we pass S, we notice that there is only one fret allowed for Re. Although Re has two forms (komal re and suddha Re), pure North
Indian music does not recognize any raga that uses two consecutive or
sandwiched Re’s. If we need to use suddha Re,
we leave the fret as shown in the diagram. If we need to use komal Re, then we must move the Re fret toward the Sa. Test to see if the komal re
position is an accurate one by playing komal re with
respect to other notes of the desired scale.
After
passing the r/R fret, every note from komal ga to Pa has a fret allocated for it. Once we hit the Dha fret, we enter the same discussion as we did with the
r/R fret. The Suddha Dha
(D) is shown on the diagram. If one needs a komal dha (d), then one should move that fret towards the Pa and
test its accuracy by playing komal dha with respect to the other notes of the desired scale.
After
passing the d/D fret, komal ni (n), suddha Ni (N), and
tar saptak Sa (S’) have their own respective frets.
Every fret after S’ has one fret per note. Since four additional frets cannot
fit in such a small space, r’/R’, g’/G’, and m’/M’ have one fret per note, and
they have to be moved according to raga or musical piece requirements.
When
playing fingering the notes, make sure you play right before the fret of the desired
note. This will produce the most optimal sound. You will use your index finger
to be the finger the fret most notes. You will use your middle finger to play
the last note of a particular phrase or if you are switching directions (if you
are playing S G m P m, then your finger orientation would be Index Index Index Middle Index). The
following video illustrates this concept the best.
UPDATED:
June 23, 2009