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Solkattu Manual
An Introduction to the Rhythmic Language of South Indian Music
Wesleyan Dance
Sales Date: 2014-06-03
The first hands-on introduction to South Indian spoken rhythm
Solkattu, the spoken rhythms and patterns of hand-clapping used by all musicians and dancers in the classical traditions of South India, is a subject of worldwide interest—but until now there has not been a textbook for students new to the practice. Designed especially for classroom use in a Western setting, the manual begins with rudimentary lessons in the simplest South Indian tala, or metric cycle, and proceeds step-by-step into more challenging material. The book then provides lessons in the eight-beat adi tala, arranged so that by the end, students will have learned a full percussion piece they can perform as an ensemble. Solkattu Manual includes web links to video featuring performances of all 150 lessons, and full performances of all three of the outlined small-ensemble pieces. Ideal for courses in world music and general musicianship, as well as independent study. Book lies flat for easy use.
INTRODUCTION
What is solkattu?
The structure of the lessons
How to use this book
PART ONE: TISRA JATI EKA TALA
Chapter One: lessons, first series
Chapter Two: lessons, second series
Chapter Three: mora series 1
Chapter Four: mora series 2
PART TWO: EXERCISE MORAS
Chapter Five: four exercise moras
exercise mora 1: tisra jati eka tala
exercise mora 2: khanda jati eka tala
exercise mora 3: misra jati eka tala
exercise mora 4: sankirna jati eka tala
PART THREE: ADI TALA LESSONS
adi tala and the structure of the lessons
Chapter Six: adi tala mora series 1
Chapter Seven: a composition by Palani Sri M. Subramania Pillai (1908-1962)
Chapter Eight: a korvai with its setup
Chapter Nine: tisra nadai, sarvalagu and korvai
Chapter Ten: misra koraippu
Chapter Eleven: ending section
preparation
periya mora
final korvai
CONCLUSION
Chapter Twelve: putting it all together
DAVID P. NELSON is an artist-in-residence for South Indian music in the Department of Music at Wesleyan University.
"A street-wise beginner's guide to one of the world's great drumming traditions. Nelson communicates his enthusiasm and knowledge in a step-by-step manual that anyone—novice, student, trained musician, ethnomusicologist—can work through."
~David B. Reck, author of Music of the Whole Earth
"With its wealth of information and practical exercises, this new Solkattu book is a revelation and offers the opportunity to delve into a little-known but exhilarating manifestation of South Indian drum language."
~Glen Velez, percussion soloist, composer, and professor of percussion, Mannes College of Music