Beyond your quarter notes: an introduction to international classical music and notation

In Western classical music, notation looks like quarter notes, eighth notes, and maybe a few triplets if you’re feeling funky. However, Western classical music is not the only type of classical music. Essentially, every culture around the globe has developed its own style of classical music and, with that, a method to preserve it— this oftentimes involves a form of written notation. Notation often does not play a significant role in non-Western music as oral tradition and improvisation reign supreme; nonetheless, it remains an important way to preserve these art forms. South Indian Carnatic Music and Indonesian Gamelan music are great examples of unique musical notation and non-Western classical music, which transcend beyond the typical time and key signatures endemic to the West.

South Indian Carnatic music: For South Indian Carnatic music, squares and syllables are the basis of musical notation. Carnatic music relies on intricate vocal ornaments and melodies incorporating microtonal whispers guided by Tala—patterns of rhythm that are notated in squares. Carnatic music utilizes a special melodic framework called a raga. Ragas typically include several ascending or descending scale patterns with embellishments added on. Many of the melodic embellishments are improvised, as the melodic framework allows for plenty of improvisation. Each song is formed of a handful of ragas and talas. Performances of Carnatic music often involve a central vocalist accompanied by a mridangam (drum), tablas (small drums), Saraswati veena (stringed instrument), and sometimes manjira (rhythmic cymbals). Carnatic songs are typically played to accompany dance performances and in celebratory or religious contexts

Indonesian Gamelan music: In Indonesia, Gamelan music notation – kepatihan notation — involves numbered melodies and rhythmic squares. Gatras, which involve four beats, each with several different pitches, are the base unit of Gamelan music. The structure of Gamelan music involves a central instrumental line, with other instruments playing interwoven melodies based around the central line. Beyond this, Gamelan music relies on constant small and improvisational flourishes. A Gamelan instrumental ensemble primarily consists of percussion instruments. Instruments in a Gamelan ensemble include a variety of gongs, sulings (flutes), rebabs (bowed lutes), and a kendang (drum) at the center. These instruments work together to create lush and intricate pieces of music. Gamelan is the traditional music of Javanese, Balinese, and Sundanese Indonesians; thus, there are minor differences in the playing style of Gamelan for each group. However, for all three groups, the music is inseparable from its Hindu-Buddhist roots; thus, Gamelan is traditionally played at religious ceremonies, though often also played in concert or to accompany dance and theater.

Both Carnatic and Gamelan music offer far more than my amateur attempts at explaining them could capture. With both forms of music, notation comes second to improvisation and oral tradition. I’m sorry if I’m leaving you with more questions than answers; trust me, I currently feel the same way! Look at it as encouragement to seek out more non-Western classical music, and shoot me an email (rushaad@berkeley.edu) if you find anything you’d like to share!

Article by Rushaad Mistry

Photo by B. Velankanni Raj