My first attempt at composing music

Ajay Chandran, a fellow blogger who composes Hindi poetry and Ghazals, presented a challenge for me, a few months back. He asked me if I could compose a tune for one of the songs he had written. He suggested a classical rendering. This is my very first attempt at composing something. It was pretty hard to start out with a blank canvas and come up with something that conveyed the emotion of the poetry. The theme is Viraah (Separation).

I realize this is pretty elaborate and deep for someone who is not very much into classical music. This is meant for a more musically inclined audience. The composition starts off in Khamaj, transitions to Pilu and ends in Bihaag. If heard on headphones, the background score on the keyboard is discernible. I just tried to play simple chords that gelled with the transition of the basic frequencies across the song.

I got feedback from Murali Venkatraman, a talented composer and an avid blogger on this composition, which was useful. Though I failed to incorporate a lot of the suggestions in this, I hope to use them for the next time, if there's one. One thing that's easy to note is that the composition lacks a rigid rhythm structure, which Murali also pointed out. It's only loosely structured on an evenly spaced three beat cycle. I hope to improve on such weak points as I do more of this. I would really appreciate your feedback, positive and/or negative, as I found this project difficult and am ready to grab whatever I get that would better equip me for my next time.

Ajay's posts of this song:
Muziboo
Uhuroo


I thank Ajay for this opportunity and the lovely lyrics. And here's hoping for more such opportunities!

Bihaag

In my India trip in November I was lucky to get my much awaited Taal Mala I asked my mum to buy for me! I just couldn't wait to get to hear the sound of Tabla any time I wanted. Here's my attempt of a Chhota Khayal in Bihaag, my current favorite raag.

Khayal, or Khyal, which is a Persian word that literally means
thought or imagination came into Hindustani Music from Persian influence during the Mughal times and is by far the most popular style in Hindustani. Khayal compositions are often romantic and this one, Faagun Maas Suhaayo is one such, that describes the month of the new moon and the joyous celebrations of Hori or Holi with Krishna.

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Much as I tried I couldn't get rid of some of the background hum and uneven volume in different parts of the track, sigh! I really need to look into the technicalities of my recording equipment. Having a special external soundcard of supposedly the best quality doesn't seem to be all there is to it.