Saptak

SAPTAK (Octave)

According to the Indian theory of music there are three ranges of the human voice, which are low, medium and high pitch. These pitches when identified with notes in music called Saptaka or a group of seven Shuddha notes. These seven notes also includes four komal and one Tivra Swara. The human voice is differentiated under these three ranges:

1.  Madhya Saptaka (Medium Octave) — When the sound naturally comes out of the throat without any pressure, it is called the throat voice. The Medium octave or Madhya Saptaka.

2.  Mandra Saptaka (Lower Octave) — When the sound comes out entirely by the pressure of the lungs, it is called the chest voice or Mandra Saptaka (Lower Octave). In this Saptaka the pitch of the sound is lower than the medium octave.

3.  Taar Saptaka (Upper Octave) — When the sound is produced with the exertion of force on the nostrils and head, called the head voice or Tar Saptaka (Upper Octave). The pitch or sound is higher than that of the medium

octave.