| Points of Difference | Hindustani Music | Carnatic Music |
| Influence | Arab, Persian, and Afghan | Indigenous |
| Freedom | Scope for artists to improvise. Hence scope for variations. | Less scope for improvisation |
| Sub-styles | Several sub-styles lead to the emergence of ‘Gharanas’. | Only one particular prescribed style of singing. |
| Need for Instruments | Instruments are equally important as vocals. | More emphasis on vocal music. |
| Ragas | 6 major ragas | 72 melakartas, ragas and janya ragas. |
| Main emphasis on | Mainly based on Ragas. | Mainly based on Tala or Taal. |
| Major Instruments used | Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar and Santoor. | Veena, Mridangam, and Mandolin. |
| Association to Parts of India | North India | Usually South India |
| The commonality between the two | Flute and Violin | Flute and Violin |