A post after a long time (yes, this has become a recurring theme 
).
In this one, I return to taking of the liberty of requesting you, the reader (if you are still around) to lend your ears for a few minutes and listen to my “attempt” at using carnatic music concepts in western music.
Without much ado, here it is:
(You can also download the audio file from here.)
Note: As before a good pair of headphones with good dynamic range and high volume may provide the best effect – no tinny PC speakers!
I hope you can guess the raga. It has a very strong melodic flavor which is defined in its scale i.e. arohana/avarohana itself. I do believe that in this piece, although it takes a while to build up, that flavor should stand out fairly well, particularly in the second solo which has very recognizable phrases and progressions.
I am actually excited and satisfied with this one on a few counts:
- Created on the iPad! Most of my previous attempts were created pretty much in entirety with Garageband on the Mac (except for the one on using that amazing iPhone app Bebot). However, this one was created entirely on the iPad using an excellent full-featured sequencer app called iSequence!! For $14.95, this can create some amazing music, with many number great sounds/instruments already part of the package, and extra ones you can buy for $1.99 each. This piece was created fully using the default set of sounds. Not all the default sounds are great but some are awesome.
- The clever reader may have noticed a cheap attempt to “entice” one to listen to earlier attempts by bring them into the topic and providing hyperlinks. But that clear reader is still requested to indulge the blog writer
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- The clever reader may have noticed a cheap attempt to “entice” one to listen to earlier attempts by bring them into the topic and providing hyperlinks. But that clear reader is still requested to indulge the blog writer
- I have always loved this raga because of the emotion and energy it carries. It is one of the few ragas which I think would be a fantastic fit for a symphonic orchestral piece with high energy. I think this is one area where some of the intense carnatic ragas (with strong melancholy or pathos) can be used to terrific effect. My aim was for a rock(ish) piece that had the same kind of vibe. I am satisfied that I came up with something that does reflect my thoughts on this raga in a western fit. I like the energy it carries.
- One of the “features” that iSequence has is a glissando mode which is implemented very well as a smooth slide without too many digital artifacts that we may encounter in many software synthesizers (or atleast the inexpensive ones I have tried). I have used it in this piece albeit still trying to make it as western – but I think this mode has good potential for a more carnatic melody.
I hope you liked the piece. If you do, please provide your thoughts in a comment below.
January 19, 2011 at 11:01 am
Still around and looking forward to more
I haven’t been able to listen to this piece though as the widget says file not found 
January 19, 2011 at 11:23 am
Really? I just was able to listen it. I have now updated and put a download link. Perhaps the hosting site was down briefly when you tried it.
January 20, 2011 at 5:58 am
Well, this has a cinema tune hit written all over it
Arun: Does it remind you of any particular cinema song?
January 20, 2011 at 10:37 am
Hi,
Very nicely done. Is this “Kalyana Vasantham” ragam, a janya of Keeravani? If so, I also tried one composition in this ragam. Listen to the 6th track in http://rameshonmusic.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-old-compositions.html and let me know your feedback.
Regards
Ramesh
January 20, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Yes it is. Thanks for visiting my blog. I listened to yours. It is quite nice – it has a similar vibe. I will listen to the others when I get a chance.
Arun
January 21, 2011 at 2:39 am
Thank you for your feedback!
January 20, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Arun: I loved it. Both the build up to the theme and the theme itself. Well done.
Right at the beginning, I thought this is harmonic minor. I did not get the equivalent carnatic raga at that time. That set the mood of this piece for me which is quite different from the rasa you had in mind
To me, based on some other songs in Harmonic minor, it evokes feelings more on the sensual and romantic side, more late evening type of music. I know this is more based on my own past references. I am curious how others perceived the mood created by the song.
Towards the end, the use of flat notes followed by curved/smooth transition notes created a good effect for me.
After reading the comments and listening to the piece again, I heard traces of KV in the middle of the song. Still the romantic nature of it did not leave me. I guess it is a fine line between romantic mood and melancholy/pathos. ha.ha.. j/k
Incredible you can do all this just on the iPad.
Congratulations on your creation.
January 20, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Thanks vk.
– it is indeed a fine line which btw Ilayaraja *always* crossed back and forth! I always found his songs to have a hint of melancholy mixed with romance. That is why they are so endearing to me. And when that is mixed with nostalgia – which has that same sweet+sad combo, as it is nowadays to me, it is an extremely potent mixture!
It is not necessarily that this raga is inherently and unambiguously melancholic. I find it to have a similar vibe as say simhendramadhyamam. To me, it would be apt to portray climactic (as in fast-paced, higher energy level) situations of anguish/impending-potential-doom etc. But that is to me and of course different people do interpret it differently. I know others do not view SM that way.
BTW, the second melody uses a lot of phrases from T’s song – particularly the step-wise ascents (sgm gmd mdn – as straight notes or as bends) – but that part is also common say with chandrakauns (so is gmdns). But this raga introduces both ri and pa in descent which I have used.
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