We added two parameters in the Tag Search feature of MySwar – Raaga and Instruments. I’ll talk more about Raaga in another post. In this post, I’ll focus on the ability to look for songs based on the musical instruments used in them.
The Instrument Tag Search allows users to search for songs containing a specific musical instrument or a combination of two or three instruments. This feature is perhaps for the geekiest of music lovers amongst us. Here are some scenarios this feature may help unravel:
Accordion songs of Shankar – Jaikishan – Nearly one-tenth of all Hindi film songs featuring the accordion were composed by Shankar – Jaikishan. These include songs like Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua (Shree 420, 1955), Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein Hum (Chori Chori, 1956), Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe Ho Nisar (Anari, 1959), Ajeeb Daastan Hai Yeh (Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, 1960) and Awara Ae Mere Dil (Raat Aur Din, 1967).
Saxophone songs of R.D. Burman – It is likely that Manohari Singh played the saxophone in most of these songs. Some these songs include O Haseena Zulfonwali Jane Jahan (Teesri Manzil, 1966), Yeh Sham Mastani Madhosh Kiye Jaye (Kati Patang, 1970), O Hansini Meri Hansini (Zehreela Insaan, 1974), Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya Hai (Aandhi, 1975) and Pyar Ke Mod Pe (Parinda, 1989).
Songs featuring the santoor as well as the flute – This list includes songs like Piya Tose Naina Laage Re (Guide, 1965), Raina Beeti Jaye (Amar Prem, 1971), Seene Mein Jalan Ankhon Mein Toofan Sa Kyun Hai (Gaman, 1978), Dekha Ek Khwab To (Silsila, 1981) and Katra Katra Milti Hai (Ijaazat, 1988). It would be interesting to figure out how many of these songs Hariprasad Chaurasia and Shiv Kumar Sharma performed in.
At present, the following instruments are tagged on MySwar – Accordion, Acoustic Guitar, African/Middle-Eastern Drum, Alghoza, Bagpipe, Banjo, Bass Guitar, Beatboxing, Been/Pungi, Bell, Bol, Bongo, Bugle, Bulbul Tarang/Indian Banjo, Cajon, Castanet/Khartal, Cello, Chenda, Chimes, Chimta, Clap, Clarinet, Clarinet/Saxophone/Trumpet/Oboe, Conch, Continuum Fingerboard, Cow Bell, Cycle Bell, Cymbals/Tala/Manjira, Dafli, Dafli (Tambourine)/Kanjira, Damru, Dhol/Nagada, Dholak/Dholki, Didgeridoo, Double Bass, Drum, Electric Guitar, Electric/Bass Guitar, Electronic, Electronic Percussions, Finger Snaps, Flute, Ghatam/Matka, Ghungroo, Guiro, Hang Drum, Harmonica, Harmonium, Harp/Swarmandal/Qanun, Harpejji, Horn Section, Idakka, Jal Tarang, Kanjira, Kazoo, Keyboard, Khamak/Gubgubi/Tuntuna, Khol, Konnakol, Madal, Mandolin/Other Plucked Instruments, Mandolin/Rubab/Saz/Bulbul Tarang, Marimba/Xylophone/Glockenspiel/Kasht Tarang, Marimba/Xylophone/Jaltarang/Kasht Tarang, Melodica, Mohan Veena, Morsing/Mourching/Morching, Mridangam/Pakhawaj, Oboe/Bassoon/Other Woodwind Instruments, Pepa, Piano, Rainstick, Santoor, Sarangi/Other Bowed Instruments, Sarod, Saxophone, Shakers, Shamisen, Shehnai/Nadaswaram, Shringa, Sitar, Slide Guitar, Tabla, Talking Drums, Tambourine, Tanpura, Tasha/Tamate, Temple Blocks, Thavil, Thimila, Toka, Triangle, Trumpet/Trombone/Tuba, Tumbi/Ektara, Veena, Violin Orchestra, Violin Solo, Violin/Sarangi Solo, Whistle, Zitar/Electric Sitar
We’re in the process of refining the information regarding musical instruments. For instance, the Electric/Bass Guitar tag is being separated into Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar tags as applicable. If you find any issues with Tag Search based on musical instruments, do let us know.
Leave a Reply