Chromatics means playing 3 or more consecutive notes both front or back. For eg. in Carnatic Music Sa Ri1 Ri2 is an illustration of Chromatics &similarly in Western playing C C# D constitutes a chromatic pattern. Chromatics should be used judiciously and do not sound nice if they are frequently used & the musician should take extra care if he were to use Chromatics. Maestro Ilaiyaraja's use of chromatics is at a staggering level&he literally plays with them. I would now list down a few of my favourite songs which have Raja's chromatic stamp written all over.
1) Ilaya Nila - Payanangal Mudivathilai
This song is more famous for its brilliant usage of the guitar..but the chromatic touches give an extra special feel to the song.Hear (0.17 to 0.18)and (0.20 to 0.21)..in carnatic notations Ga pa (Sa Ni2 Ni1-this alone is a chromatic)& Ga pa (Ni1Da2 Da1-yet another chromatic passage)..You can also find the chromatic feel during the 2nd interlude(Pa Pa Pa.....Pa Ma2 Ma Ma2 Pa).One of the most evergreen songs of TFM,the chromatics bit adds an extra special effect to the mindblowing guitar piece and SPB'S youthful singing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QutKB7tfnxo
2) En Gaanam Indru - Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal
Even lots of Raja fans are not aware of this song..but trust me just the hearing of this song takes u to another world..a world where only music exists..It has had such an impact on me..im sure u will be able to echo my sentiments..U can have this song in Play mode throughout the night.Hear between (1.25 to 1.34)to get the feel of Chromatics.The notes go Sa Ni2 Ni Da2 Da Pa,Pa Da Pa Ma Pa Da Pa,Ga2 Ga1 ri2 ri1 Sa ni2,Ni2 Sa Ni Da Ni Sa Ni.Simply Brilliant!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6lDXcGGHPI
3) Etho Mogam - Kozhi Koovuthu
A stunning song with amazing harmonal patterns..Hear the second interlude (3.31 to 3.35)and between (3.54 to 3.56)where the chromaticism moves in a descending way..The chromatics syncs so beautifully with the harmony..Running out of words to describe the mastery of this song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX3m9XC7ZWA
4) Puthu Mappilaiku - Apoorva Sagotharargal
What a funky&energetic song..in the Rock'n'Roll Genre..The chorus in the prelude with the trumpet by the side,the brilliant high octane singing of SPB. The change of scale from minor to major..a bit of bass sprinkled in between. And oh i've not even yet spoken about the topic of discussion Chromatics which again is in abundance throughout the song. Note the 1st interlude (1.34 to 1.38) where he has literally played with the notes where the chromatics keep rotating up and down giving an extra pep and also not to forget during the 2nd interlude between (2.35 to 3.00) where the Rock n roll in the background beautifully complements the chromatics. This easily outwits the chromatics in the 1st interlude. Absolutely Unbelievable!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujRYQ1bikC0
5) Song:Guruvayurappa - Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
The last film of the KB-IR Duo..but what a treat they have served us..What a pity we couldnt get more brilliance from this awesome twosome..Coming to the song of Discussion,Guruvayurappa what i can say but sit back and be immersed by the awe of this song..what a melodious prelude(the piano and flute syncing like siamese twins. SPB&Chitra's singing etc etc. Hear the 1st interlude and get spellbounded, here the 2nd interlude played with the guitar and get blown away.
Mindblowing is not the word, I'm still searching for the apt description:).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztj5sCOkYJw
6) Oh Butterfly - Meera
What a wonderful melody!!A melifluos prelude,the heavenly singing of SPB&Asha Bhosle,the scale changes,the amazing chordal patterns and the wonderful finish with chromatics moving in the descending order..hear between (04.51 to 05.41)and get to know what stuff geniuses are made of..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny2zQpgvWqA
7) Netru Indru Neram - Tik Tik Tik
This funky song has the chromatic stamp all over it ..It starts as early in the prelude at 0:12 and 0:16 played by Funk Guitars i think ..And then check at the end of prelude where it ends with chromatics to give a crescendo kinda effect at 0:36 to 0:39. Check the 1st interlude towards the end after Guitar ends its show , a sudden sober effect created with strings playing Chromatics at 01:35. Not to forget you would configure Chromatics immediately whenever Netru Indru Neram is sung.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoVJq-ziRVU
8) Paadivaa Thendrale - Mudivalla Arambam
Another song laden with chromatics all over ..
At the end of the prelude before Malaysia starts singing btwn 0:51-0:52 , and then again at beginning of 1st interlude with the sax playing at 01:19-01:20 ..and then the guitar btwn 01:42 to 01:46 , then the flute from 02:02-02:03, and flute again from 02:57 to 02:59, again at 03:23.This is just the chromatics, there is so much more to the song. My Love - Paadivaa Thendrale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8obKMg3gBTk
9) Ram Bam Bam - Michael Madhana Kama Rajan
Its interesting to note that Ram Bam Bam from Michael Madhana Kamarajan starts in a chromatic while singing the notes Ram Bam Bam (Pa Da1 Da2 or G A A#) Also there is a chromatic interlude when the trumpet plays chromatic notes from 01:26 to 01:30 and again at 01:35 the same is repeated at 01:41 (This again comes in the next interlude).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AccocNTJSe4
10) Pon Maane Kobam Yeno - Oru Kaidhiyin Diary
in the 2nd interlude of Pon Maane , there seem to be chromatics in the humming from 02:48, the notes go Da2 Ni3 Ri1 Ri2 Ri1 ,Ri2 Ri1 , Da2 [Ga3 Ga2 Ri2 Ri1 -Chromatic]. Also there are chromatics appearing in the 1st interlude, check at 01:23 and again at the background there are chromatic passages from 01:24 to 01:33 where the notes go Ni2 Sa Ri1 Ri2 (repeat), Ga2 Ma1 Ma2 Pa (repeat). The notes are so complicating but the melody is just out of this world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSFT_YVagL8
1) Ilaya Nila - Payanangal Mudivathilai
This song is more famous for its brilliant usage of the guitar..but the chromatic touches give an extra special feel to the song.Hear (0.17 to 0.18)and (0.20 to 0.21)..in carnatic notations Ga pa (Sa Ni2 Ni1-this alone is a chromatic)& Ga pa (Ni1Da2 Da1-yet another chromatic passage)..You can also find the chromatic feel during the 2nd interlude(Pa Pa Pa.....Pa Ma2 Ma Ma2 Pa).One of the most evergreen songs of TFM,the chromatics bit adds an extra special effect to the mindblowing guitar piece and SPB'S youthful singing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QutKB7tfnxo
2) En Gaanam Indru - Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal
Even lots of Raja fans are not aware of this song..but trust me just the hearing of this song takes u to another world..a world where only music exists..It has had such an impact on me..im sure u will be able to echo my sentiments..U can have this song in Play mode throughout the night.Hear between (1.25 to 1.34)to get the feel of Chromatics.The notes go Sa Ni2 Ni Da2 Da Pa,Pa Da Pa Ma Pa Da Pa,Ga2 Ga1 ri2 ri1 Sa ni2,Ni2 Sa Ni Da Ni Sa Ni.Simply Brilliant!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6lDXcGGHPI
3) Etho Mogam - Kozhi Koovuthu
A stunning song with amazing harmonal patterns..Hear the second interlude (3.31 to 3.35)and between (3.54 to 3.56)where the chromaticism moves in a descending way..The chromatics syncs so beautifully with the harmony..Running out of words to describe the mastery of this song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX3m9XC7ZWA
4) Puthu Mappilaiku - Apoorva Sagotharargal
What a funky&energetic song..in the Rock'n'Roll Genre..The chorus in the prelude with the trumpet by the side,the brilliant high octane singing of SPB. The change of scale from minor to major..a bit of bass sprinkled in between. And oh i've not even yet spoken about the topic of discussion Chromatics which again is in abundance throughout the song. Note the 1st interlude (1.34 to 1.38) where he has literally played with the notes where the chromatics keep rotating up and down giving an extra pep and also not to forget during the 2nd interlude between (2.35 to 3.00) where the Rock n roll in the background beautifully complements the chromatics. This easily outwits the chromatics in the 1st interlude. Absolutely Unbelievable!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujRYQ1bikC0
5) Song:Guruvayurappa - Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
The last film of the KB-IR Duo..but what a treat they have served us..What a pity we couldnt get more brilliance from this awesome twosome..Coming to the song of Discussion,Guruvayurappa what i can say but sit back and be immersed by the awe of this song..what a melodious prelude(the piano and flute syncing like siamese twins. SPB&Chitra's singing etc etc. Hear the 1st interlude and get spellbounded, here the 2nd interlude played with the guitar and get blown away.
Mindblowing is not the word, I'm still searching for the apt description:).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztj5sCOkYJw
6) Oh Butterfly - Meera
What a wonderful melody!!A melifluos prelude,the heavenly singing of SPB&Asha Bhosle,the scale changes,the amazing chordal patterns and the wonderful finish with chromatics moving in the descending order..hear between (04.51 to 05.41)and get to know what stuff geniuses are made of..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny2zQpgvWqA
7) Netru Indru Neram - Tik Tik Tik
This funky song has the chromatic stamp all over it ..It starts as early in the prelude at 0:12 and 0:16 played by Funk Guitars i think ..And then check at the end of prelude where it ends with chromatics to give a crescendo kinda effect at 0:36 to 0:39. Check the 1st interlude towards the end after Guitar ends its show , a sudden sober effect created with strings playing Chromatics at 01:35. Not to forget you would configure Chromatics immediately whenever Netru Indru Neram is sung.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoVJq-ziRVU
8) Paadivaa Thendrale - Mudivalla Arambam
Another song laden with chromatics all over ..
At the end of the prelude before Malaysia starts singing btwn 0:51-0:52 , and then again at beginning of 1st interlude with the sax playing at 01:19-01:20 ..and then the guitar btwn 01:42 to 01:46 , then the flute from 02:02-02:03, and flute again from 02:57 to 02:59, again at 03:23.This is just the chromatics, there is so much more to the song. My Love - Paadivaa Thendrale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8obKMg3gBTk
9) Ram Bam Bam - Michael Madhana Kama Rajan
Its interesting to note that Ram Bam Bam from Michael Madhana Kamarajan starts in a chromatic while singing the notes Ram Bam Bam (Pa Da1 Da2 or G A A#) Also there is a chromatic interlude when the trumpet plays chromatic notes from 01:26 to 01:30 and again at 01:35 the same is repeated at 01:41 (This again comes in the next interlude).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AccocNTJSe4
10) Pon Maane Kobam Yeno - Oru Kaidhiyin Diary
in the 2nd interlude of Pon Maane , there seem to be chromatics in the humming from 02:48, the notes go Da2 Ni3 Ri1 Ri2 Ri1 ,Ri2 Ri1 , Da2 [Ga3 Ga2 Ri2 Ri1 -Chromatic]. Also there are chromatics appearing in the 1st interlude, check at 01:23 and again at the background there are chromatic passages from 01:24 to 01:33 where the notes go Ni2 Sa Ri1 Ri2 (repeat), Ga2 Ma1 Ma2 Pa (repeat). The notes are so complicating but the melody is just out of this world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSFT_YVagL8
