Hindustani Music Guide
मींड
A continuous glide from one note to another, essential for expressing raag character.
Meend is the technique of smoothly gliding from one swara to another without breaking the sound, passing through all intervening microtonal shades. It is one of the most important ornamental techniques in Hindustani music, essential for expressing the emotional content and specific character of a raag. The quality and control of meend often distinguishes a skilled performer from a novice.
कण
A grace note or touch note that briefly sounds before or after the principal swara.
गमक
A heavy oscillatory ornament where each note is approached with forceful emphasis.
आलाप
The slow, unmetered opening section of a raag performance.
श्रुति
The microtonal intervals of Indian music, traditionally numbered at 22 within an octave.