Playing Qawwali Style on Harmonium
Qawwali, the devotional Sufi music of South Asia, features highly energetic, fast-paced harmonium playing. This guide outlines the key techniques used by master qawwals.
Key Styling Techniques
- Fast Trills (Alankars): Quick alternation between notes to embellish vocal lines.
- Heavy Bellows Pumping: Rhythmic, forceful pumping that accentuates the rhythmic beat (Tala) of the tabla or dholak.
- Drone Chord accompaniment: Playing sustained root chords (Sa-Pa or Sa-Ma) to create a thick wall of sound.