How to Use the Gamak Technique in Hindustani Vocal Music

Hindustani music is one of the oldest forms of music. It is pivotal in Indian culture. It can be found in India's temples, in courts of law, as well as concert halls. It can be heard sung at a child's birth or a person's death, at festivals and religious rites. Part of Hindustani music's form is the emotional range the singer brings to the tune. The gamak is a vocal technique that conveys a singer's emotion.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Know what a Raga is. The raga is common to every form of Hindustani music. It is the melody made by the combination of the 7 notes to create the mood and emotion of the tune. It is the foundation for all Indian classical music. However, each raga can't be randomly free formed. The basic rules must be carefully observed to preserve the integrity of the music.

2. Embellish the music with ornamental melodic devices. The gamak is one of these vocal devices that takes the single notes of a raga and makes it something more for variation and appeal. The gamak technique is commonly combined with the tan technique.

3. Learn the tan vocal technique. The tan is the most common technique performed by Hindustani singers. The performer expands the raga by arranging the notes either by descending and ascending the notes or changing the notes around and repeating them over and over in that same altered arrangement.

4. Perform the gamak by using your voice to create quavering notes. Basically hold 1 note and make it go up and down by pushing air in and out of the diaphragm.