Performing and composing ideas
An ensemble will employ the following devices and techniques to create an authentic Bhangra performance. Each one can be transferred to other genres of music and inspire performances and compositions.
| In performance | In composing | |
| Chaal rhythm | Learn to perform the chaal rhythm on a drum. Add a drone played on a string instrument. Improvise a vocal melody over this accompaniment. Try adding calls into the performance. | Record the chaal rhythm into a piece of computer software. Add a rhythmic pattern on a drum machine to make the beat more appropriate for a Bhangra song. |
| Three-note riff | Choose an instrument and using the chaal rhythm add three pitches to create a riff. To extend the idea try improvising a melody over the top. | Using the chaal rhythm add three pitches to create a riff. To extend the idea try improvising a melody over the top. |
| Sampling | An audio recording or a digital audio workstation composition can be assigned to a sampling device, eg a drum machine, and be triggered to sound when needed. | Record the chaal rhythm into computer software and then take some audio samples from other songs, or record some. Experiment with layering the samples over the chaal rhythm. |
| Chaal rhythm | |
| In performance | Learn to perform the chaal rhythm on a drum. Add a drone played on a string instrument. Improvise a vocal melody over this accompaniment. Try adding calls into the performance. |
| In composing | Record the chaal rhythm into a piece of computer software. Add a rhythmic pattern on a drum machine to make the beat more appropriate for a Bhangra song. |
| Three-note riff | |
| In performance | Choose an instrument and using the chaal rhythm add three pitches to create a riff. To extend the idea try improvising a melody over the top. |
| In composing | Using the chaal rhythm add three pitches to create a riff. To extend the idea try improvising a melody over the top. |
| Sampling | |
| In performance | An audio recording or a digital audio workstation composition can be assigned to a sampling device, eg a drum machine, and be triggered to sound when needed. |
| In composing | Record the chaal rhythm into computer software and then take some audio samples from other songs, or record some. Experiment with layering the samples over the chaal rhythm. |