A voice of their own

The indie music scene has been churning out extraordinary talent. From new genres to interesting collaborations, fans can catch a glimpse of a diverse industry.

However, it’s not just the vocal front that has gone through massive changes
but the instrumental part of it too. The piano, guitar and drums aren’t the only ones which are hogging the spotlight.

 New, non-mainstream instruments are taking the stage with better awareness, exposure, and an increasing will to experiment. While in the classical realm, artistes are bringing in new forms of music to defy traditional stereotypies, the indie music circuit is finding its own voice through such instruments.

Satyajit from ‘Groove Tantriks’, a path-breaking band whose lineup includes artistes who play the ‘djembe’, ‘didgeridoo’, bass guitar and ‘bahia’ drums, says, “Most of us are teachers and have seen a rising demand for our ‘djembe’ ‘didgeridoo’ and ‘bahia’ drum classes. Most people associate us with grooves and we have seen an increased demand among students and working professionals to join our structured learning programmes.”

They came up with experimental, organic, percussive progressive dance music to appeal to a larger listener base. “There is a growing popularity when it comes to adding elements of alternate instruments into a performance. However, the number, when compared to mainstream instruments, is not that great.”

‘Beat Gurus’, a city-based band which was one of the pioneers of the indie music circuit to use unique instruments, is an inspiration to the younger lot. Ganesh, who plays the ‘djembe’ and the ‘dharbooka’, picked up an interest in African percussion 18 years ago.

He took it up after he saw an artist playing the ‘djembe’. He wanted to learn it as he was interested in its tone, look, sounds and visuals.

“However, I couldn’t find a teacher. This was also the pre-YouTube era so I couldn’t learn anything on my own,” he laughs.

“However, I went abroad and learnt to play the instrument. It has opened up my mind in so many ways. Such instruments are becoming popular as they are easy to learn. People aren’t intimidated by them and they are also easily available in stores.”  

Abhijith A Bhat or ‘Psy’, who plays didgeridoo from ‘Mind Map’, says people usually pick up an unusual instrument to bring the element of surprise. During one of his trips to Hampi, he met some foreigners playing the ‘didgeridoo’ and learnt the instrument from them. “There were artistes who were learning different types of instruments then but it is becoming more popular today as we are much more and better exposed musically. The internet has opened vast possibilities in understanding various instruments. There is also a demand for classes of this kind and schools that teach guitar and piano are opening up to teaching such new instruments.”

Ganesh adds, “Learning something new always helps as people become interested to know how the instrument evolved.” But apart from learning, such instruments have become a mass icon in enhancing and increasing the stage presence.

Abhijit adds, “There is a certain charm attached to instruments which become popular like this. They have a rustic sound and an earthen effect which create an aura of their own on stage.”

However, such instruments have a long way to go as harmonica player Vasudev Prabhu, from ‘By2Blues’ puts it.  “These instruments will not come into the mainstream realm until one makes it mainstream. There have been a couple of musicians taking to non-mainstream instruments but many don’t play it the way it is supposed to be played. It is very difficult, complex and intricate and lack of teachers keeps people from moving onto the next level. People aren’t willing to learn it fully for about five to seven years and then get disillusioned.”

He explains that in an evening, if a band performs about 20 songs, the harmonica may be used in just two songs to add to the texture of the music.

“However, musicians who use new instruments are being asked to collaborate with guitarists or pianists so I see a lot of scope and potential for them in future.”