Creation of sound, Kampan (vibration), Aandolan (oscillation)

Hindustani Classical music is all about the slides, glides and smooth transitions between notes.
As a matter of fact, many prefer to see the octave as a continuum of notes rather than discrete
notes. The beauty of music comes out better when the musician glides over notes, prolongs them,
shakes them or varies volume. When all these possibilities come together, the music produced
sounds much richer.
These variations that enrich the Hindustani music are called gamaks. Gamaks are very aptly
described as ornamentation. A tasteful ornament enhances beauty. Tasteful use of Gamak, has
the same effect on music. Without gamaks, music would sound monotonous.

Types of Ornamentation
The concept of Gamak is essential to understand for any performer of Hindustani classical music
– in both vocal and instrumental forms. The term Gamak refers to controlled shaking of notes. In
the process, other notes may or may not be used. The important Gamaks are:

Andolan
Andolan literally means “Oscillation”. Andolan Gamak involves slow oscillation of the note with
higher or lower note in such a way that emphasis is still on the main note. Andolan is articulated
in Bansuri mainly through fingering.

Kampan
Kampan literally means “vibration”. In western system, this is called vibrato and it is articulated
in Bansuri through blowing. One should alternately blow harder and softer in such a way that the
note “vibrates” around its normal position. Andolans or oscillations move the note much more
than Kampan or vibrations.
Both of these denote oscillation, the only difference being that in the Kampan, the frequency of
the oscillation is faster than the Andolan, while the later has a greater aptitude of vibration and
extends as far as the neighboring note. The Andolan can thus be described as a gentle oscillation
between notes. On the other hand, in the case of Kampan, there is only a slight alteration of the
pitch.

Other Ornamentation are:

Kan
This refers to a grace note. The grace note is usually adjacent to the main note but does not have
to be so. It can also be on either sides of the main note. Intensity of the grace note can vary.
Murki
Murki is fast ornamentation around the main note and may have a number of swaras. It refers to
a short, sharp figure of two or three notes so uttered that it occurs within a short span of time,
wrapped around the central note.
Jamjama
When a series of Murkis are performed in quick succession, they lead to the Jamjama, which is
like a spiraling fast pattern.
Khatka
This is similar to both the Murki and the Kana. The Khatka is a faster improvisation of the
principal note. The speed of execution gives it a jerky movement.
Meend
Meend is a slow slide from one note to the other.