<!-- Pramāṇa, a library of Indian primary sources · https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.day-1891.c6.71 -->

[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.day-1891) › c6.71

# The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c6.71

The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c6.71

- **Language:** English

### [c6.71](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.day-1891.c6.71)

The only values agreeing in each are C, D, F, while new E♭ is the just minor third—a mere accident. The nine degrees from C to F vary from 49 to 63 cents, and then there is a sudden break, after which the thirteen degrees from F to the octave vary from 45 to 65 cents. This is the first intelligible presentment of the Indian scale which I have been able to effect. It will be seen that C, D♭, D, E♭, E, F, F♯, G, A♭, A, B♭, B are represented pretty well by our equally tempered notes; but that the seven intermediate notes—D♭♭, E♭♭, E♯, F♯♯, A♭♭, B♭♭, B♯—could only be tempered in the quarter-tone system used in Syria. Hence in the usual transcription these seven notes are identified with some of the others. . . . These comparisons necessarily injure the original character of the music and give it a harmonisable appearance which is entirely foreign to Indian music.

- [Previous: c6.70](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.day-1891.c6.70)
- [Next: c6.72](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.day-1891.c6.72)
- [Up: c6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.day-1891.c6)

---
Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.day-1891.c6.71](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.day-1891.c6.71) · Pramāṇa
