Mbe 3.302 Instructor: Stephen Slawek
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ENS 107S/MUS 180K PERFORMANCE PRACTICE OF NORTH INDIAN MUSIC SVARANJALI MEETING PLACE: MBE 3.302 INSTRUCTOR: STEPHEN SLAWEK OFFICE PHONE: 471-0671 E-MAIL: [email protected] UNIQUE NUMBERS: 25680 & 22145 Admission to the ensemble: Registration does not guarantee admission to the ensemble program. Preference will be given to those students continuing in the program from previous semesters who have shown evidence of musical abilities and who have made significant progress. This means that even if the computer allowed you to register for the course, you may not be accommodated and may have to drop the course. The selection process will be completed on the basis of auditions and ability to meet during available times. CLASS TIMES: To be arranged. GRADING: Three factors contribute to your grade: attendance, preparation and progress. All students should learn how to provide tanpura accompaniment within the first eight weeks of class. 2 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES=FINAL GRADE LOWERED BY ONE LETTER. MORE THAN THREE=AUTOMATIC “F” OR “NC.” LACK OF PREPARATION FOR CLASS OR LACK OF PROGRESS DURING THE SEMESTER WILL HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE FINAL GRADE. PRACTICE: MBE 3.302 is available for practice at all times that the building is open except when sitar/tabla classes or gamelan classes are meeting. You should practice a minimum of three hours in preparation for a class. It is ideal to practice with other students who are in your class. Please do not use the instructor’s platform when you practice. Also, do not use the electronic tanpura. You can use the electronic tabla machine, but only after receiving instructions for its proper use. The key for MBE 3.302 can be checked out from the Music Services room during office hours, and from the Scheduling Office after normal business hours. Of course, practicing is much easier when you own an instrument. CLASSROOM POLICIES: This is an unusual program in that it is attempting to maintain a foreign cultural tradition on unfamiliar turf. Indian classical music exists within a cultural milieu that is very different from Western traditions. It is my opinion that it is incumbent upon the ENS 107S/MUS 180K INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC instructor and students to respect the culture that has nurtured this music by upholding the same standards of behavior in the classroom as would be found in a similar situation in India, either a class in a musician's house or in an institution. Such behavior is based on certain attitudes that must be held by those who seek to learn this music, the most important of which is vinaya, or humility. Respect for the ambience of the class is also important. Most Indian musicians regard music as a form of divinity. Music can provide an uplifting experience for those following its path. However, I am not teaching religion, and do not wish to confuse cultural attitudes about music with religion. Our concern for the classroom atmosphere has to do with the connection between ambience and the creative process. Learning Indian music depends a lot on experience. It is not just a matter of acquiring material. Students need to experience the entire process of musical creativity. That is the traditional way of passing on the music. The creative process requires an atmosphere free of impediments to one's concentration. In order to bring about the proper mood of the raga, or the finer details of a rhythmic pattern, it is necessary to have concentrated attention. It is because of this that many musicians regard their musical practice as a kind of meditation. Important rules for classroom decorum: 1. Shoes should not be worn on the rug. We need to sit on the rug to teach and practice. Shoes bring in dirt. We don't enjoy sitting in dirt, at least while teaching or practicing music. 2. Hats are for protection against the elements, for fashion, or for making a personal statement. The building provides sufficient protection against the elements; the class is not concerned with shows of fashion; it is hoped that you make your personal statements through musical sounds, at least within the context of this music program. Don't wear hats in class. This does not apply to head coverings (turbans, scarves, etc.) that are worn for religious purposes or medical reasons. 3. Proper posture is important for the correct production of tone in both vocal and instrumental music. Proper posture does not include slouching against a wall or lying on the floor. 4. Instruments are fragile. !! Never step over an instrument!! Instruments should be given the most protection possible and handled with extreme care. Please keep the tablas arranged neatly against the back wall of the classroom. Use only the sitars propped in the corners of MBE 3.302 for practice. Please do not enter the gamelan area, and, especially, do not remove sitars from the cabinets in the gamelan room. 5. All activities except public performances take place in MBE 3.302. This room is available to registered students of the program for practice during the hours that the building is open as long as there isn't a class in session. For security reasons, I ask that you do not bring friends along when you practice. Never remove an instrument from MBE 3.302. ENS 107S/MUS 180K INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC 6. It is difficult enough to tune musical instruments when it is quiet. It is nearly impossible when there is a lot of noise. Please maintain SILENCE when someone else is tuning, whether it is the teacher or another student. Extraneous noises slow the whole tuning process, eating up valuable class time. 7. You should develop the capacity to notate in sargam notation or, for tabla, in bol notation. Material that is set to tala should be notated in a clear framework that provides evidence of the tala structure. If you have not yet acquired a separate notebook for sitar or tabla class, you should do so immediately. You must write down everything that we cover in class. I will not write it for you, as this is a skill that is part of the training process. If you can hear it, you can write it. If you can write it, you will be able to play it. Ideally, you should memorize everything you write down, and use the written notation only to fill in lapses in memory. 8. Students with disabilities may request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, 512-471-6259, http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/ .