Exploring Apps for Measuring Swara Sthanans in Indian Classical Music

Indian classical music is rich in its nuances, with a well-defined tuning system known as Swara Sthanans. These are the pitches associated with specific musical notes, crucial for maintaining the purity and essence of the melodies. Fortunately, there are several apps designed to help musicians measure and analyze these swara sthanans. In this article, we will explore various options and share our experience with one of the most popular instruments, the Shruti Carnatic Tuner.

Types of Apps for Measuring Swara Sthanans

There are primarily four types of apps designed to aid in the measurement and analysis of swara sthanans:

Tuner Apps

These apps, though primarily designed for tuning musical instruments, can be effectively used to measure swara sthanans. They help identify the pitch of a sound, allowing users to calibrate their instruments or voices. Examples include:

Musical Learning Apps

Several apps are designed specifically for learning Indian classical music, often including features for swara identification and practice. These apps can be beneficial for both beginners and experienced musicians. Examples include:

Pitch Analysis Apps

Pitch analysis apps go a step further by analyzing audio and displaying the frequency, which can be mapped to specific swara sthanas. Examples include:

Custom Apps

Some developers have created specialized apps focused on Indian classical music theory and swara analysis. Searching app stores for the latest offerings can provide a wealth of options tailored to specific needs.

Testing the Waters with the Shruti Carnatic Tuner

One of the most popular apps for measuring swara sthanans is the Shruti Carnatic Tuner. The paid version of this app includes all 12 swara sthanas, named according to the 16 swarasthanam system. The unpaid version, designed as a teaser, has only a few swaras, primarily to help users ensure they are singing the aadhara Shadjamam (Sa) correctly. After some research, I opted for the paid version, which cost around ?350 (one-time payment).

The quality of the Shruti Carnatic Tuner is exceptional. It has real-time pitch detection, swara identification, and even practice exercises. Installing the app and understanding its features is a straightforward process. Here is a video that demonstrates how it works:

This app is incredibly versatile and can be used for vocal or any Indian instrument. It is particularly useful for musicians who need to maintain precise swara sthanas in their performances.

The Technological Challenges of Measuring Swara Sthanans

The task of measuring swara sthanans is complex and requires multiple steps. The first step involves measuring the absolute frequencies in a given time interval, which is a fundamental requirement for any tuning application. Once the Sa note is identified, the relative swar sthanas can be computed. To determine the quality of these swar sthanas, a well-trained AI or neural network (NN) system can be employed to provide feedback on which swara sthanas are closest and how close they are.

While this process can be intricate, additional contextual processing may be necessary to achieve satisfactory results. The accuracy of the measurement will depend on several factors, including the purity of the sound, environmental noise, and the sensitivity of the app.

Developing an app that measures swara sthanans effectively is a challenging but fascinating project. It requires a combination of technical skills and a deep understanding of Indian classical music. If you are interested in developing such an app, it is essential to break down the problem into manageable steps and invest in a robust machine learning model to provide accurate feedback.

Conclusion

Measuring swara sthanans in Indian classical music can be challenging, but with the right tools, it is achievable. The Shruti Carnatic Tuner and other apps mentioned in this article provide valuable resources for musicians looking to improve their tuning skills. Given the complexity of the task, developers are encouraged to approach the problem with a structured plan and a commitment to excellence in the field of music technology.