One of the biggest differences for Western ears is the absence of chord changes in Hindustani music. Instead of moving through harmonic progressions, the music floats over a constant drone.
What is the drone doing?
The tanpura (or electronic drone) continuously plays:
- Sa (the tonic), and
- Pa or Ma (the fifth or fourth).
This creates a permanent sonic “home”. Every swar is heard in relation to that unchanging reference. The effect is:
- Meditative – like a mantra in sound.
- Intense – small pitch shifts become very noticeable.
Why no chord progressions?
Hindustani raag grammar is deeply tied to specific note relationships. If we changed chords (like in Western music), many of these subtle relationships would be lost or muddled.
Instead of vertical harmony, Hindustani music explores:
- Horizontal richness – intricate melodic lines and ornaments.
- Microtonal tuning – exact placement of each note against Sa.
Fusion genres (Indian + Western) sometimes add chords under raags, but this is always a delicate balancing act: too many chords can distort the raag; too few may sound bland to Western ears.
For listeners, the drone is an invitation to sink into a single tonal center and explore the universe hidden inside it.