Musical Instruments: Northern Area

Instruments perform several functions in the various genres of Hindustani music. Some provide a drone background to vocal and instrumental performances. Others sound the repeating melodic line that sustains the rhythmic cycles of dance and drum performances. Musicians use some instruments to play the melodies that shadow and accompany vocal performances and others to specialize in the vast and intricate solo repertoire. Musicians consider the concert solo the zenith of instrumental playing, although...