Online Music Lessons Carnatic 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the term for the improvised elaboration of a raga performed before the main composition in a Carnatic concert?
- Swara kalpana
- Raga alapana (Correct answer)
- Tani avartanam
- Niraval
Correct answer: Raga alapana
Raga alapana is the free-flowing, unmetered exploration of a raga's character and phrases, performed before the composition begins.
Question 2: Which instrument is traditionally considered the primary percussion instrument in Carnatic music?
- Tabla
- Ghatam
- Mridangam (Correct answer)
- Kanjira
Correct answer: Mridangam
The mridangam is the principal percussion instrument in Carnatic music, providing rhythmic support to all vocal and instrumental performances.
Question 3: In Carnatic solfege, what is the correct ascending order of the seven notes?
- Sa Ga Ri Ma Pa Da Ni
- Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Da Ni (Correct answer)
- Sa Ma Ri Ga Pa Ni Da
- Sa Ri Ma Ga Da Pa Ni
Correct answer: Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Da Ni
The seven Carnatic swaras in ascending order are Sa (shadja), Ri (rishabha), Ga (gandhara), Ma (madhyama), Pa (panchama), Da (dhaivata), and Ni (nishada).
Question 4: Which of the following ragas is considered an 'audava' raga (pentatonic scale)?
- Shankarabharanam
- Hamsadhvani (Correct answer)
- Kambhoji
- Kalyani
Correct answer: Hamsadhvani
Hamsadhvani is a popular pentatonic (audava) raga using only five notes: Sa Ri Ga Pa Ni, omitting Ma and Da.
Question 5: What does 'Tani Avartanam' refer to in a Carnatic concert?
- A solo section for the main vocalist
- A solo percussion improvisation by the mridangist and other percussionists (Correct answer)
- The final benediction song at the end of a concert
- The first rendition of the main composition
Correct answer: A solo percussion improvisation by the mridangist and other percussionists
Tani Avartanam is the solo percussion interlude in a concert where the mridangist and accompanying percussionists improvise freely.
Question 6: In online Carnatic lessons, what is typically taught first to absolute beginners?
- Complex ragas like Bhairavi
- Sarali varisais (basic scale exercises) (Correct answer)
- Full kritis by Tyagaraja
- Raga alapana improvisation
Correct answer: Sarali varisais (basic scale exercises)
Sarali varisais are the foundational scale exercises taught first, training students in pitch, breath control, and rhythmic regularity.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the raga 'Bhairavi' in Carnatic music?
- A bright, auspicious morning raga with no flat notes
- A versatile raga associated with pathos, using flat Ri, Ga, and Da (Correct answer)
- A pentatonic evening raga used only in devotional songs
- A raga used exclusively for fast-paced tillanas
Correct answer: A versatile raga associated with pathos, using flat Ri, Ga, and Da
Carnatic Bhairavi is a rich, emotive raga associated with pathos and longing, featuring flat (komal) versions of Ri, Ga, and Da.
Online Music Lessons Carnatic 3
What is the term for the improvised elaboration of a raga performed before the main composition in a Carnatic concert?