South Indian Rhythmic Solfege and Jazz/World Music
Focused on South Indian rhythmic solfege, this course explores both North and South Indian melodic concepts, the raga system and tala system. Basic pulse is strengthened, and complex polyrhythms are learned by vocal recitations and hand-clapping patterns. These exercises and patterns are then applied to the student's instrument and used in improvisation. Emphasis is placed upon superimposing different groupings over various meters, thus creating interesting phrasings and broadening rhythmic vocabulary. In addition to Indian rhythms, some West African and Brazilian rhythms will be covered. Play-along recordings with different harmonic progressions will be used. Improving swing feel will also be emphasized. Solo transcriptions of jazz and classical Indian music will be used as examples of superimposed rhythmic groupings and subdivisions. The students are expected to invent their own exercises and be able to perform them in class. Examples of these rhythmic concepts in composition will be discussed and played in class.