Original scientific paper

A 'Failed' Unison or Conscious Differentiation: The Notion of 'Heterophony' in North Indian Vocal Performance

John Napier ; School of Music and Music Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Abstract

This paper is inspired in part by the necessity for examination of the cross-cultural application of musical terminology, and suggests that such examination is illuminating of both our understanding and of our own interpretative assumptions. I examine the term "heterophony", both in general and in how it is used to describe melodic accompaniment, or sangat, in North Indian music. I argue that the value of heterophony as a term of translation lies in its insistent multivalence, its imprecision. I emphasise the importance of understanding both musical processes and the aesthetic and socio-musical factors that help to determine and are represented therein.

Keywords

Heterophony; North Indian music; Hindustani music; Terminology

Hrčak ID:

32872

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/32872

Publication date:

15.6.2006.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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