Classification of Bases

INSTRUMENT BASE

Indian Classical Music classifies its instruments in 4 major categories based on Bharata's Natya Shastra. They are

1. Tata Vadya (String Instruments) - These are instruments that we also classify as melodic instruments, e.g, Sarod, Sitar, Veena, Violin etc

2. Avanaddha (Percussion Instruments) - These are instruments that we also classify as rhythmic instruments, e.g., Tabla, Mridangam, Dholak, Ghatam etc.

3. Sushira vadya (Wind Instruments) - e.g., Flute, Shehnai, Tutaari etc

4. Ghana (Solid Instruments) - e.g, Chipli, Ghungroo, Jaltarang etc.

The Harmonium is a newer instrument which is classified as a Keyboard Instrument although it uses the same principle of wind instruments.

Swarshala provides bases and components for all these types of instruments but focuses more on the rhythmic and melodic instruments i.e. the Strings and Percussion, and also the Harmonium, as they are the most important parts of any Indian classical musical composition.

SwarShala provides you with a different base file for each of the instrument provided in the software. These files contain the different strokes and, rhythmic and melodic sequences, also called Components, for that particular instrument for different ragas. These files are stored in the “/Data/Bases” folder of the SwarShala installation directory, with an extension of “.ssb”.

For example to use all the Components for a Dhol, you would open the Dhol.ssb file from the Bases Folder. This file will automatically populate the tree view in the Bases Frame with all the Components related with all the Raga Bases for the Dhol Instrument Base.

RAGA BASE

SwarShala's Raga Bases are further classified into 4 sub-types. They are

1. Normal - This is the default Raga Base that is used with all instruments. The All.ssb file in the Bases Folder is the default file for this type . This file will automatically populate the tree view in the Bases Frame with all the Components related with all the Raga Bases for all the Instrument Bases.

2. Strings - This Base can be used by you when you want to add “Strings” instrument specific Components in your musical composition. The Strings-All.ssb file in the Bases Folder is the file for this type. This file will automatically populate the tree view in the Bases Frame with all the Components related with all the Raga Bases for all the Strings Instrument Bases.

For example, if you want access to Chikaris (drone strings), Sympathetic Strings(Tarafdar), and other strings which are specific to instruments like Sitar and Sarod in your musical composition, then you use this Base file.

3. Santoor - This Base can be used by you when you want to add “Santoor” instrument specific Components in your musical composition. The Santoor-All.ssb file in the Bases Folder is the file for this type. This file will automatically populate the tree view in the Bases Frame with all the Components related with all the Raga Bases for the SantoorInstrument Base.

4. Harmonium - This Base can be used by you when you want to add “Harmonium” instrument specific Components in your musical composition. The Harmonium-All.ssb file in the Bases Folder is the file for this type. This file will automatically populate the tree view in the Bases Frame with all the Components related with all the Raga Bases for the Harmonium Instrument Base.

This Base gives you the possibility of inserting chords at places by triggering more than one note simultaneously.

All.ssb is the default base available in the Compose pane. It gives you access to the entire chromatic scale, giving you all the notes. A Raga Base gives you access to only those notes that are permissible in that raga. If you are making some light classical composition in a raga but want access to other notes as well, then you can either create your compositions in All, Strings-All, Santoor-All or Harmonium-All bases, or insert some additional strokes (notes) in a given raga base. This can be done in the Sequence View of the Compose Pane through Components > Insert > Stroke Function