In these comprehensive lessons, we will dive into the fascinating world of Karnatic (also known as Carnatic) rhythm, exploring its rich history, intricate patterns, and rhythmic complexities. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced musician, this course will provide you with a solid foundation in Karnatic rhythms and equip you with the necessary skills to enhance your musical expression.

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LESSON INFO

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Karnatic music is the classical music of South India. This rhythmical system is much more complex than Western Music but, in addition, has very clear and practical teaching and exercise methods.

 

Over a series of lessons, we will cover some of the most practical elements, which will help in complex rhythmical music (contemporary classical music, folk music from the Balkans and Africa, electronic music, math metal, etc.)

 

• Subdivisions: Quintuplets, Septuplets, Groups of 9  11  13 notes

• Meters: 8/16, 30/8

• Polyrhythms

• Polypulses

• Irrational rhythms 

• … and much more! 

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The goal is to provide rhythmical tools that will make music and rhythmical complexity sound really easy.

 

These techniques that I will be demonstrating have been developed by Dr. Rafael Reina, who, after years of deep research of all aspects of Karnatic music, released a book - "Applying Karnatic Rhythmical Techniques to Western Music," published by Ashgate. Our Carnatic Rhythm Teacher, Jaume Darbra, studied this material with Dr. Rafael Reina at ESMUC (Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya) and moved to Amsterdam to continue studying the program Contemporary Music through Non-Western Techniques at the Conservatory of Amsterdam.

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LESSON OBJECTIVES

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1. Understand the Basics: We will start by familiarizing ourselves with the fundamental concepts of Karnatic rhythms, including tala (rhythmic cycles), anga (rhythmic units), and eduppu (starting point). You will learn to identify different talas and their subdivisions, enabling you to grasp the rhythmic structure of Karnatic music.

2. Explore Rhythmic Patterns: Building upon the basics, we will delve into various rhythmic patterns prevalent in Karnatic music, such as korvai, mohara, and nadai. Through interactive exercises and demonstrations, you will develop proficiency in recognizing and executing these patterns, enhancing your rhythmic improvisation skills.

3. Master Konnakol: Konnakol, the art of vocalizing rhythmic patterns, is an integral part of Karnatic music. We will dedicate a significant portion of the course to mastering this technique. You will learn syllables, phrases, and rhythmic solfège to effectively communicate and reproduce intricate rhythmic compositions.

4. Study Compositions: We will analyze and learn traditional Karnatic rhythmic compositions (pallavi, anupallavi, charanam), unraveling their unique rhythmic structures. By studying compositions from different composers and genres, you will develop a deeper understanding of the rhythmic intricacies in Karnatic music.

5. Develop Improvisation Skills: Improvisation is a vital aspect of Karnatic music. Throughout the course of the lessons, we will focus on developing your improvisation skills within the framework of Karnatic rhythms. You will learn techniques for improvising rhythmic patterns and exploring rhythmic variations.