The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c9.38

c9.38

Mr. Engel calls attention to the fact that Chopin, in one of his studies for the black keys (Douze grandes Études, No. 5), has given some idea of the beautiful effect that may be produced by a melody which employs a limited number of intervals; only in this case he notices that as the accompaniment employs other intervals, the pentatonic effect of the whole is somewhat marred. In Indian music, too, a frequent use is made of the pentatonic scale, as has been already remarked. Again, in Spanish national music, embellishments are of constant occurrence, especially in descending the diatonic scale; the same predilection can be observed in Indian melodies; indeed, a further resemblance can be traced in the occasional employment of endings of the following nature—