|the sitar project||
last updated October 17, 2009
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Improvise four note jor phrases 1x and 2x speed
Jor is the second stage of the performance after alap. In this stage we begin to hear rhythm - using the chikari strings. This stage is still solo, tabla only comes in with the gat. The basic Jor has a four beat pattern and, just as alap, explores the raag systematically. As in the alap at the end of each section exploring the main notes of the raag a special phrase called the Mohra is played. This is like a full stop. After Jor comes Jor-Jhala and Ulti Jhala which concludes the alap section of a performance.
The mohra in jor is a truncated version of the mohra from alap:
This can be quite difficult to fit in seamlessly to the rhythmic flow of the jor, so practice this aspect very carefully.
Rela is a 16 beat cycle without tabla. The stroke pattern is the same as for jor-jhala but, apart from the first one, the Da strokes are played on the jora string. You play this pattern with a four note descending phrase. The notation seems complicated, but once you have mastered the pattern it is not too difficult, though it requires stamina to keep it going at speed.
What you then do, is instead of playing Sa, play a short tan in four beats and then return to the descending phrase. Here are some simple examples:
Play Ulti jhala
The Ulti jhala uses the stroke pattern shown on the Playing Strokes page, combined with improvisation and the note patterns shown on the page Playing patterns. This forms the concluding section of the alap. Even though this section is very rhythmical it does not use tabla. Again this section requires considerable stamina.