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MUSIC
Quarter 3 – Module 1
Central, South, & West Asian Music
 Did you enjoy learning and experiencing the music of East Asia from the last
quarter? Then you better hold on to your hats because it's now time to travel to the far
side of Asia! Let us now experience the music from the South, Central, and West Asian
countries.

In this module, you will discover how different events contributed to the cultures
in music particularly in India, Pakistan, and Israel. You will also learn the various types
of musical instruments popular in their country. You will also get a glimpse of their cultural
context, social functions, and performance styles in their musical compositions.

LEARNING COMPETENCY:

1. Listens perceptively to music of South Asia and the Middle East. MU8WS-IIIah-2
2. Explores ways of producing sounds on a variety of sources that would simulate
instruments being used. MU8WS-IIIch-5
3. Improvises simple accompaniment to selected South Asia and the Middle East
music. MU8WS-IIIbh-6

At the end of the module, you should be able to:

o Classify musical instruments from Central Asia, South Asia, and West Asia
according to Hornbostel-Sachs Classification of Musical Instruments.
o Explore ways of producing sound on a variety of items that would simulate
instruments.
o Appreciate the beauty of diversity in the music and culture of South,
Central, and West Asia.

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 What I Know

I. Modified TRUE or FALSE: Write TRUE if the statement is correct. If it is

incorrect, change the underlined word/group of words to make the
statement true. Write your answers in your Music Notebook.

1. Ghan is one of the oldest classes of instrument in India.

2. Tat is referred to as vina during the old civilization.
3. Sushir is also known as blown air. It is characterized by the use of air
to excite the various resonator .
4. Tala is described as a membranous percussive instrument.
5. Vitat is described as wind instruments.

What is It

INDIA (South Asia)

India is the largest country in South Asia. Its music is as vast as its geographic
location and as large as its demographic population. The music of India reflects
different aspects of Asian culture through its timbre, rhythm, melody, texture, form, and
style. In general, Indian music remains fundamental to the lives of the people of India
as a source of spiritual inspiration, cultural expression, and entertainment.

Galaxy of Musicians by Raja Ravi Varma

Source: (DEPED: Music and Arts Learner’s Material )

 Instrumental Music of India

There are many musical instruments in India. Some instruments are used
primarily in North Indian music (Hindustani Sangeet) while many other instruments
are used in South Indian music (Carnatic Sangeet). Instrumental music is often
similar to vocal music but sometimes they have distinctive instrumental styles. There
are five known traditional systems for the classification of instruments.
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 Classification of Musical Instruments from India:
1. Ghan – described as a non-membranous percussive instrument but with solid
resonators. It is one of the oldest class of instruments in India. It may also be a melodic
instrument or instruments to keep tal.

Source: (DEPED: Music and Arts Learner’s Material )

2. Avanaddh - described as a membranous percussive instrument. This class of
instruments typically comprise the drums.

Source: (DEPED: Music and Arts Learner’s Material )

3. Sushir – also known as blown air. It is characterized by the use of air to excite the
various resonators.

Source: (DEPED: Music and Arts Learner’s Material )

4. Tat – referred to as vina during the old civilization. This class of instruments are
plucked (stringed instruments)

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 Source: (DEPED: Music and Arts Learner’s Material )
5. Vitat – described as bowed stringed instruments. One of the oldest classifications
of instruments and yet did not occupy a place in classical Indian music until the last
few centuries.

Source: (DEPED: Music and Arts Learner’s Material )

 Tala

Rhythm plays an important role in Indian music. It is fundamental to the

creation of any musical system. Certainly, from a historic standpoint, rhythm existed
many centuries ago before the word “rag” was ever used. Given this historical pre-
eminence, it is not surprising that rhythm occupies an important position in the Indian
system of music.
Tala - literally meaning ‘clap;’ variously transliterated as “tal”, “taal” or “taala”.
- is a regular, repeating rhythmic phrase, particularly as rendered on a
percussive instrument with an ebb and flow of various intonations represented
as a ''theka''.
- is the common Indian system of rhythm.
Theka - a sequence of drum-syllables or ''bol''
- in Indian classical music, both Hindustani classical music and Carnatic music
use complex rules to create elaborate patterns of rhythm
Tabla - most common instrument for keeping rhythm in Hindustani music
Mridangam - the most common instrument for keeping rhythm in Carnatic music.
- also transliterated as “mridang”
If you have a smartphone, check out the links below to hear some examples of
Indian music and its musical instruments:

 Track 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlshv4TqIHw (Hindustani Music)

 Track 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnObqYfb-0M (Carnatic Music)
 Track 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v+=xr0h_75v0mo&t=s (Indian
Musical Instruments)
 Track 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgV6X3KenGA&t=2s (Types and
Classification of Indian Musical Instruments, Ep11)
 Track 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtZPSDe5mqw (Classification of
Indian Musical Instruments)
 Track 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy-4zENhH3k&t=4s (Instruments
of Amazing India)
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 PAKISTAN (Central Asia)

Pakistan is known for its unique vocals. The distinctive Pakistani sound was
formed with multiple influences not only from various parts of South Asia but also
includes diverse elements from Central Asia, Persia, Turkey, and the Arab world.
Instrumental Music of Pakistan

Punjabi music strengthens the importance of musical instruments in Pakistan.

Punjab is a region in South Asia which is divided into West Punjab, Pakistan,
and East Punjab, India. Bhangra, one of the most recognized forms of Punjab, is
based on the drum rhythm of dhol.
 Significant Instruments of Pakistan

Source: (DEPED: Music and Arts Learner’s Material )

If you have a smartphone, check out the links below to hear some examples of
Pakistani music and its musical instruments.

 Track 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E15V5koHPBA&feature=share
(MusicalInstrumentsof Pakistan)
 Track 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E15V5koHPBA (Musical
Instruments Of Pakistan Flute, Rubaab, Alghoza, Tabla, Sound of Pakistan)
 Track 9: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-nTdVGqvlg (Pakistan Tabla
Music Local Musical Instruments)
 Track 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za26F1rwOUE (Harmonium In
The Streets of Pakistan)

ISRAEL (West Asia)

In general, the music of West Asia is modal. Harmony is not emphasized but
rather includes salient features such as melodic complexity and ornamentation,
including ¼ tones and rigorous rhythmic development.
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 Instrumental Music of Israel
The lute such as the Philippine bandurria and Laud traces its origins from the
Middle Eastern Oud and Indian sitar. Goblet drum, darbuk, the tambourine and other
instruments associated with Middle Eastern music are used as accompaniment. One
of the dances where accompaniment is used is Hora, a dance that often has strong
off beats and asymmetric meters.

 Significant Instruments of Israel:

Source: (DEPED: Music and Arts Learner’s Material )

 Other Significant Instruments of the Arab Countries:

Source: (DEPED: Music and Arts Learner’s Material )

 Other Significant Middle Eastern Instruments:

Source: (DEPED: Music and Arts Learner’s Material )

If you have a smartphone, check out the links below to hear some examples of
Israeli music and its musical instruments:

 Track 13: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXrYh8Ue1k (Darbuk Drum)

 Track 14: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY4YW-Wmf-Y (The Oud Musical
Instruement from Middle East)
 Track 11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dkEe3ph_bU (Shofar in
Jerusalem)
 Track 12: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFUEkfap0cM (Goblet Drum)
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 What I Can Do

After your family dinner, gather the members of your family in your living room.
From your “What’s More” activity, make a musical presentation in front of your loved
ones featuring your newly built box guitar. Play a couple of your previously rehearsed
songs. Apply the usual elements in music like dynamics, tempo, and the like in your
performance. For a more enjoyable experience, encourage the members of your
family to sing along with your playing. Have fun creating music for your loved ones.
How do you feel about your performance? Choose your level of performance
from the chart below. Write your remarks about your “Box Guitar, Unplugged”
performance in your Music Notebook.

Awesome Very Good Good Needs Poor

(5 pts) (4 pts) (3 pts) Improvemen (1 pt)
Source: t (2 pts)
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/pain-scale-useful-method-assessing-medical-1421220350
(Note: If you have a smartphone, try to record your performance for future reference)

Assessment
Identification. Name the following Indian musical instruments. Write your answers in your
notebook.

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ANSWER KEY
WHAT I KNOW: (Pre- 1. True 2.True 3.True 4.Avanaddh 5.Bowed String
ASSESSMENT: (Post Test)
1. Karta 2. Surpeti 3. Shehnai 4. Banam 5. Sarangi
6. Gopicham 7. Shankh 8. Sitar 9. Dhol 10. Ghatam
Answer Key