Shruti (music)
Shruti ( Sanskrit , f., श्रुति, śruti , roughly "tone") are the names of the 22 micro-intervals with which an octave is divided in Indian music .
While the tempered tone system of Western music divides the octave (frequency ratio 2: 1 to the fundamental) into 12 equal semitone steps , Indian music theory divides the octave into 22 unequal srutis, all of which are smaller than a semitone step.
The theory of 22 Shrutis first appeared in Bharata Muni's around the time-written work Natyashastra on where it the foundations of ancient Indian Gandharva - summed up music.
List of 22 Shrutis
A possible division of the octave into 22 Shrutis is the following:
- Sa Ri1 Ri2 Ri3 Ri4 Ga1 Ga2 Ga3 Ga4 Ma1 Ma2 Ma3 Ma4 Pa Dha1 Dha2 Dha3 Dha4 Ni1 Ni2 Ni3 Ni4 Sa
The seven syllables Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni correspond to our solmization syllables Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La and Ti . The numbers stand for the various possible variations in the pitch of a tone (corresponding to our accidentals ♯ and ♭ ). The fundamental Sa and mostly the fifth Pa (frequency ratio 3: 2 to the fundamental) are exceptions to this possibility of variation.
In addition to the division mentioned, there are others, e.g. B. with double Pa or with only three different signs per tone. In addition, the order of the tones can be within small limits, e.g. B. Ga1 before Ri4 vary.
See also
literature
- Madhu Mohan Komaragiri: On the Applicability of the Ancient Sruti Scheme to the Current Fixed-Tonic, Variable-Interval Mela System. Journal of the Madras Music Academy, Vol. 81, Chennai 2010, pp. 135-143
- Joan Serr`a, Gopala K. Koduri, Marius Miron, Xavier Serra: Assessing the Tuning of Sung Indian Classical Music. (PDF; 165 kB) Music Technology Group, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona 2011
Web links
- Andreas Lehmann: Sound examples of Indian shruti and their names
- Shruti Demonstration on Sarod - part 1 - Intro & komal Gandhar. Youtube video (demonstration of the use of the Shruti on the Sarod . 6 parts)