Dhani

Dhani is a late afternoon raga from northern India. It is fairly straightforward to play on bansuri, with two symmetric tetrachords (Sa KomalGa ShuddhMa and Pa KomalNi HighSa).

The ascent of Dhani is also the ascent of the more well-known afternoon raga, Bhimpalasi. While Dhani is pentatonic in both ascent and descent though, Bhimpalasi uses seven notes on the descent.

Dhani – Scale And Alap

In this tutorial, Bansuri Bliss Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger introduces the scale of the beautiful afternoon raga Dhani. The scale of Dhani is pentatonic, and similar to the Western blues scale. In this detailed step-by-step guide, he demonstrates how to play the five-note scale, emphasizing the importance of breath control, finger positioning, and the nuances of partially closed holes. The lesson covers the ascent and descent of the scale, highlighting the serious nature of the notes tones, and ensuring you can replicate the melodic patterns accurately.

Throughout the session, Dr. Kriger offers invaluable tips for maintaining a continuous outward breath to produce a steady and harmonious sound. He shares techniques for improvisation, including the “flash” and “wisp”, to help players add personal touches to their performances. By the end of the video, you will have learned the Dhani scale and gained insights into playing Alap, a slow and expressive exploration of the Raga. This tutorial is perfect for both beginners and advanced players looking to deepen their understanding and appreciation of bansuri music.