Module 3

Sound fundamentals

Shruti, the seven notes, the twelve positions, octaves and notation.

Open the quick-reference hub for this topic

1. 1. Shruti and the tonic

   Why there is no fixed Sa, what shruti means, and how the drone holds the pitch.

2. 2. The seven swaras

   The names of the seven notes, their variants, and a first scale.

3. 3. The twelve swarasthanas

   Sixteen note names on twelve positions, and why some names share a pitch.

4. 4. Octaves and notation

   The three octave ranges and how Carnatic notation marks notes, variants and octaves.