Overview

David Nelson wrote and compiled Konnakkol Manual to assist teaching an advanced course in the rhythmic compositions of Karnatak (South Indian) music. This new instructional book picks up where his previous book, Solkattu Manual, left off. It includes advanced exercises for developing control of odd pulse divisions, such as three and five notes per beat. There is a chapter on the sources of Karnatak tāas (meters), and another on the evolution of rhythmic compositions—told through the work of three generations of musicians. The main body of the book comprises full tani āvartanams (spoken percussion solos) in three tāas, together with instructions for practice, and Solkattu notation. Nelson created 150 instructional videos to accompany the text. They are accessible at wesleyan.edu/wespress/konnakkol/.

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9780819578785

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Reviews

A valuable addition to rhythm studies for any musician. Very appropriate for teachers and students. --Glen Valez, New School High caliber and innovative mrdangist David Nelson shares insights acquired over more than four decades in this well-paced guide to advanced rhythmic composition in South Indian music. Written in an inviting style and amply illustrated with video demonstrations, this manual will be useful for creative musicians of all backgrounds. --Richard K. Wolf, author of The Voice in the Drum

A valuable addition to rhythm studies for any musician. Very appropriate for teachers and students. --Glen Valez, The New School High caliber and innovative mrdangist David Nelson shares insights acquired over more than four decades in this well-paced guide to advanced rhythmic composition in South Indian music. Written in an inviting style and amply illustrated with video demonstrations, this manual will be useful for creative musicians of all backgrounds. --Richard K. Wolf, author of The Voice in the Drum The South Indian rhythmic core, the demystifying strategies, transforming capability of the content and the manner of presentation, the authenticity of the rhythmic repertoire, the learning tips from the wealth of the author's musical experience in South Indian drumming over half a century, gained from the acclaimed Karnatak music maestros -all this and much more, are most valuable for students, performers, teachers of improvisation in the world of music. The book is not only a valuable pedagogical tool kit for the non-Indian drummers and students of rhythm around the world, it will be an eye opener also for the native musicians who need to be better informed in terms of form and structure of this complex classical art of Mr. Dangam, which they hold high. Wesleyan University, known for its reputation as the reserve bank of global musical traditions, has done proud to an exemplary musical tradition of South India. --Karaikudi Subramanian, Founder and director of Brhaddhvani Research & Training Center for Musics of the World The lessons present the rhythmic concepts in a completely comprehensible and thorough way. This book may be the best way to dive into these concepts, short of getting on a flight to Chennai. --Jamey Haddad

Author Information

DAVID P. NELSON has been performing and teaching South Indian drumming since 1975. From his principal teacher, the renowned T. Ranganathan, he learned to accompany a wide range of styles, including Bharata Natyam, South India's classical dance. He has a PhD in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University, where he is currently adjunct assistant professor of music, specializing in South Indian drumming.

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