Introduction

My research addresses ways in which the karnatic rhythmical system can enhance, improve or even radically change the teaching of rhythmical solfege at a higher-education level and how this learning can influence the creation and interpretation of complex contemporary classical and jazz music.

Since 1995 I have taught a programme at the Amsterdam Conservatoire based on extended research I conducted between 1993 and 1997 in all aspects of karnatic music. The present book is the result of re-examining and deepening the material learnt throughout that initial period and, further, during various trips to South India made in 2010–12.

One of the main goals of the research and subsequent explanation of the different techniques is to use the architecture and skeleton of this musical culture not only to improve, modify, enhance or even replace the current rhythmical solfege system imparted in music centres all over the West, but also to increase the array of tools, awareness and accuracy among musicians to perform western complex composed or improvised music. I have developed these ideas into a book that aims to:

Systematise those rhythmical karnatic devices which can be considered sufficiently universal to be integrated with western classical and jazz aesthetics, so there is finally a comprehensive and complete text providing access to many rhythmical elements used in karnatic music;

Provide a methodology for how these devices can be practised and taught within a western framework in order to enhance enormously the current western solfege rhythmical system;

Explain how these techniques can be used as a source of creative ideas for composers and improvisers;

Demonstrate every step of every technique, with the aid of recordings made especially for this purpose;

Analyse sections of existing contemporary repertoire (both classical and jazz) where karnatic techniques can be used to perform passages with more accuracy and understanding, or where parallels with karnatic concepts can be established.

Provide analyses and audio recordings of scored and improvised pieces created by three composition students. ¹