Applying Karnatic Rhythmical Techniques to Western Music

Most classical musicians, whether in orchestral or ensemble situations, will have to face a piece by composers such as Ligeti, Messiaen, Varèse or Xenakis, while improvisers face music influenced by Dave Holland, Steve Coleman, Aka Moon, Weather Report, Irakere or elements from the Balkans, India, Africa or Cuba. Rafael Reina argues that today's music demands a new approach to rhythmical training, a training that will provide musicians with the necessary tools to face, with accuracy, more varied and complex rhythmical concepts, while keeping the emotional content. Reina uses the architecture of the South Indian Karnatic rhythmical system to enhance and radically change the teaching of rhythmical solfege at a higher education level and demonstrates how this learning can influence the creation and interpretation of complex contemporary classical and jazz music. The book is designed for classical and jazz performers as well as creators, be they composers or improvisers, and is a clear and complete guide that will enable future solfege teachers and students to use these techniques and their methodology to greatly improve their rhythmical skills. An accompanying website of audio examples helps to explain each technique. For examples of composed and improvised pieces by students who have studied this book, as well as concerts by highly acclaimed karnatic musicians, please copy this link to your browser: http://www.contemporary-music-through-non-western-techniques.com/pages/1587-video-recordings

Rafael Reina was born in the former Spanish colony of Equatorial Guinea and until the age of 13, was exposed only to African music, flamenco, Stravinsky and Béla-Bartók. He went on to study jazz, West African, flamenco and Berber music, and graduated 'Summa cum Laude' in composition from Berklee College of Music (USA). Reina's extensive oeuvre includes three contemporary operas and ensemble pieces performed world-wide. He also co-founded two ensembles with non-western influences. After moving to Amsterdam, Reina studied Karnatic music in South India, which led to the creation of the programme 'Contemporary Music Through Non-Western Techniques' at the Amsterdam Conservatoire, a PhD thesis at Brunel University (UK) and ultimately this book.

Instructions to Access Online Material, Rafael Reina; Introduction, Rafael Reina; Part 1 Description of Karnatic Concepts and Techniques; Chapter 102 A: Foundations, Rafael Reina; Chapter 1 The Tala System, Rafael Reina; Chapter 2 Gatis, Rafael Reina; Chapter 3 Jathis, Rafael Reina; Chapter 4 Gati Bhedam, Rafael Reina; Chapter 5 Rhythmical Sangatis, Rafael Reina; Chapter 6 Jathi Bhedam, Rafael Reina; Chapter 7 Introduction to Anuloma-Pratiloma, Rafael Reina; Chapter 103 B: Exclusively Creative Techniques, Rafael Reina; Chapter 8 Mukthays, Rafael Reina; Chapter 9 Yati Phrases, Rafael Reina; Chapter 10 Yati Mukthays, Rafael Reina; Chapter 11 Tirmanas, Rafael Reina; Chapter 12 Compound Mukthays, Rafael Reina; Chapter 13 Yatis Prastara, Rafael Reina; Chapter 14 Double and Triple Mukthays, Rafael Reina; Chapter 15 Mukthay Combinations, Rafael Reina; Chapter 16 Poruttam A, Rafael Reina; Chapter 17 Moharas, Rafael Reina; Chapter 104 C: Motta Kannakku, Rafael Reina; Chapter 18 Nadai Bhedam, Rafael Reina; Chapter 19 Mixed Jathi Nadai Bhedam, Rafael Reina; Chapter 20 Combinations Anuloma-Pratiloma, Rafael Reina; Chapter 21 Derived Creative Techniques, Rafael Reina; Chapter 105 D: Recent Developments, Rafael Reina; Chapter 22 Tala Prastara, Rafael Reina; Chapter 23 Further Development of the Mukhy System, Rafael Reina; Chapter 24 Latest Developments of Gatis, Rafael Reina; Part 2 Pedagogical and Creative Applications to Western Music, Rafael Reina; Chapter 25 Application of Karnatic Techniques to Existing Western Pieces, Rafael Reina; Chapter 26 Analysis of Students' Pieces, Rafael Reina; Chapter 106 Conclusion, Rafael Reina Sources of Information, Rafael Reina;