Introduction to Tabla: The Exploration of Indian Rhythm, Oral Tradition, and Improvisation

Students will learn the foundations of playing North India's prominent percussion instrument called tabla. Course goals include learning about the oral tradition associated with tabla, gaining knowledge about the historical and performance practices of the Benares Gharana, understanding Indian rhythmic time cycles, building a foundational approach to improvisation, and delving into the vast musical genre of North Indian classical music. Course objectives include gaining the ability to sing rhythmic compositions and to play these rhythmic compositions on the tabla. Further objectives include learning how to improvise by manipulating rhythmic permutations, as well as playing tabla in multiple time cycles such as 16-beats, 10-beats, and 7-beats. Taking this course will enhance students' mastery of rhythm, listening skills, and knowledge/appreciation for music from diverse cultures. This course requires classroom instruction but also incorporates practice and lab time such that the course only qualifies as 1 unit of credit. There are no prerequisites for taking the course.
Course Attributes:

Introduction to Tabla: The Exploration of Indian Rhythm, Oral Tradition, and Improvisation

MUSIC 1723

Section 01