North Indian Classical Music III: Performance Practice

Forms of performance

This third course turns from theory to performance practice. It explains the structure of the two forms most prevalent today: khayal for vocal performance, and the alaap, jod, jhala and gat used for some instruments.

Points covered

• Khayal as the principal vocal form and how it is structured.
• Alaap, jod, jhala and gat as the forms used by instrumentalists.
• The difference between the vocal and instrumental approaches to a raga.

Context within the series

This course completes the three-part sequence, so it builds on the raga and tala concepts from the earlier courses. Learners without that background may find the structure easier to follow after finishing the first two.