Newcastle University

Aims

1.       To provide a practical introduction to Indian Classical music for students new (or relatively new) to this tradition (building on skills they’ve acquired through other musical practices)
2.       To provide a non-pressurised context for learning (i.e. not staking everything on a final performance)
3.       To provide complimentary skills and knowledge valuable to students in their future professional careers, e.g. as creative practitioners, as teachers
4.       To encourage cultural understanding though practical encounter, and thus …
5.       To provide a practical compliment to modules involving the study of ethnomusicology and world music
6.       To involve students in sustaining and growing a culture around world music in general and Indian music in particular, within the University and beyond it.

Original Summary:
This module gives you an opportunity to learn about Indian music by doing it. Apart from giving you a practical introduction to Indian music, it will also help you develop a range of general musical skills valuable to your existing musical practice(s) – e.g. improved listening, rhythmic and ensemble sense, intonation, ability to improvise.

You don’t have to have any prior experience of Indian music to take this module – just a suitable level of musicianship in any musical practice (classical, popular, folk etc.). You’ll have the option (subject to available places) of studying on vocal, tabla, or possibly a western instrument. As a student on the module you’ll help build a community of practitioners, and, related to this, you’ll get to organise and participate in group riaz (practise) sessions bhaitaks (informal gatherings to share music), and workshops, and attend relevant performances in the University and the region.

Because this will be a mostly new practice to you, assessment will NOT be completely staked on a summative final recital. Instead, it will be based on a mixture of elements: tutors’ evaluation of your progress on the course and the quality of your practising; your general engagement with the field, based on a log of your activities and music listened to; and a couple of short, informal practical presentations at bhaitaks.

Outline Of Syllabus

The core of your activities comprises:
•       a series of regular lessons (e.g. vocal or tabla) in small groups
•       regular daily individual practice, and periodic group practice (riaz) sessions

During the year you also attend and/or contribute to:
•       seminars (c. 10), discussing themes around the practical study – e.g. the guru–shishya tradition, issues around learning, concepts such as gharana (school), useful models from ethnomusicology for reflection on the process, modes of self-evaluation.
•       Bhaitaks (informal performance presentations)
•       Indian music performances and workshops (e.g. in the wider community and local schools)

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Practicals provide the core of students’ learning. Seminars provide fora in which students acquire further factual information and exchange ideas. Other elements provide fora in which students gain experiential knowledge of the performing tradition and its cultural contexts.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Bhaitak presentations & tutors’ report evaluate your basic practical foundation, absorption in practice of key concepts etc, and overall level of progress and application in tour core practical study.

Log & tutors’ report document/evaluate your absorption of ideas discussed in seminars; your contribution to other activities such as workshops; your reflections on music you have listened to, on the learning process, and on the cultural encounters represented by it.