A Methodology for Assessment of the progress of students of Hindustani Music

Abstract

A quantitative methos for assessment of progress of students of Hinustani classical music is proposed. This paper presents a pilot model. For thorough assessment, voice quality, pronounciation, improvisation, range, rhythm etc. need to be considered. However in the present study the accuracy of notes as well as their variations and depiction of the general concept of a raga is only attempted. The four parameters used for the purpose are extracted from the basic physical property, the pitch profile of the raga rendered. The procedure consists of extracting pitch profile and identification of notes. From these, four parameters are used for analysis. In the present study two idols for the students are taken as standards for assessment. The data consists of notes extracted from the ragas rendered by four students under idol 1 and three students from idol 2 as well as the performances of the idols in the ragas required. The ragas used for analysis are ten in number. The analysis shows reasonable compliance of most of the students with their chosen idols. The relevance of each parameter reflected through the analysis of the data is also presented.