ABSTRACT
Instrumental music within the North Indian classical tradition ranges from the manipulation of improvisational models to the repetition of relatively unchanging compositions. In contrast to the South Indian tradition, it is possible to think of classical instrumental music in the North as a somewhat autonomous repertoire independent of the vocal tradition. Why this is so can only be speculated on, for the historical record relating to North Indian instrumental traditions is far from complete. In the North Indian situation, however, sitar music may sound autonomous in comparison with Hindustani vocal music, but in reality practically all the elements of sitar performance practice have vocal sources or counterparts.
