Email: Difference between Western and Indian classical music? (Italy)
Homophony vs. polyphony / melody vs. harmony
Indian classical music is primarily homophonic. Focus on melodies created using a sequence of notes. Indian classical magic is experienced with different melodies constructed within frameworks of ragas.
Western classical magic lies in polyphonic compositions. Counterpoint, harmony and texture created using multiple voices or instruments.
Composed vs improvised
Western classical is composed. Indian classical is improvised. Western classical music compositions are formally written using staff notation. No latitude for improvisation.
In Indian classical, no work is ever written. Teacher-student tradition of learning leads to each performance being an improvisation.
Vocal vs instrumentation
Vocals are used in both Indian classical and Western classical music. But, the way they’re treated in relation to other instruments is different. When vocals are used in Indian classical, rest of instruments are mere accompaniments.
In Western classical vocals, instrumentation carries weight in overall composition.
Group vs individual dynamics
Indian classical performer shines through individual improvisation. Western classical performances are largely a group effort.
Rhythm vs harmony
Indian classical uses ‘Taal‘, a cycle of beats centred around ‘Sam’ that repeats itself. Complex rhythms abound.
Western classical doesn’t use complex beat cycles. Focus is on harmony.
Indian classical makes extensive use of quarter-tones and microtones, called ‘Shruti’.Western classical uses semitones.
Indian classical doesn’t use dissonance. Western classical uses dissonance extensively to add texture.
Spirituality vs secular
Indian classical has a closer, intimate association with nature than Western classical. Ragas have specific days or seasons associated.
Roots of Indian classical are abstract, spiritual. Secular works in Western classical have roots in solo experiences, significant historical events, entertainment.
Depth of intellectual and emotional satisfaction from Classical music (Indian or Western) is unparalleled. All music is universal. Great fusion music works are inspirational.
“Music has above all a transcendental significance. It disengages spiritual from happenings of life; sings of relationships of human soul with soul of things beyond.
World by day is like European music – a flowing concourse of vast harmony, composed of concord and discord, many disconnected fragments.
Night world is Indian music – one pure, deep and tender raga. They both stir us, yet the two are contradictory in spirit.
At it’s very root, nature is divided into two – day and night, unity and variety, finite and infinite.
Music draws listener beyond limits of everyday human joys and sorrows, takes us to that lonely region of renunciation which lies at root of universe.” – Tagore
Source: Serenade