印度古典音樂是一套口傳心授、家族或師徒傳承的音樂體系，以拉格(Raga)為  旋律 調式的框架，塔拉(Tala)為節奏循環的模式，並加上持續低音(Drone)作為音樂的襯底。印度音樂除了著重音高(swara)，也著重裝飾音的技巧(alankar)。
The strings are picked rapidly in repetitive sequences or rolls ; the same string is not typically picked twice in succession .  Melody notes are interspersed among arpeggio s , and musical phrase s typically contain long series of staccato notes , often played at very rapid tempo s. The music is generally syncopated , and may have a subtle swing or shuffle feel , especially on mid-tempo numbers .
两词在上述语境中含义相同。