Konnakkol Manual: An Advanced Course in Solkattu

by David P. Nelson

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 www.weslpress.org/readers-companions/.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780819578792
Publisher:	Wesleyan University Press
Publication date:	02/20/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	8 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

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.

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.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

Part 1 Text and Context 1

1 Strategy and Structure 3

The Purpose of This Book 3

Strategies for Learning This Material 4

The Structure of This Book 7

Pronunciation 7

Glossary 8

2 What Is This Thing Called Tala? 9

Natyasastra 9

Suladi Sapta Talas 10

The Thirty-Five-Tala Scheme 10

The "Capu" Talas 11

Rupaka Tala as a Special Case 12

Talas from Tiruppugar, Sixteenth-Century Songs by Arunagirinadar 12

The Big Four Talas 12

Glossary 13

3 Notation Conventions and Some Fundamental Concepts 14

Notation 14

Sarvalaghu and Kanakku: Two Fundamental Concepts 15

Glossary 18

4 Three Generations, Three Directions 19

The Palani Composition Revisited 20

Solkattu Manual Korvai from Chapter 8 24

A Korvai in Three Nadais 28

5 Exercises in Tisra Nadai and Khanda Nadai 30

Preparation for Advanced Material 30

Tisra Nadai 31

Khanda Nadai 35

6 Misra Capu Tala 42

Opening Section 43

Variations on the First Mora 45

Second Mora Series 47

Korvai from Solkattu Manual Chapter 8, Adapted for Misra Capu 52

A Bridge Korvai to Tisra Nadai 54

Tisra Nadai Section 57

A Tisra Nadai Korvai 57

Tisra Koraippu 58

Ending Section 62

Ending Korvai 66

7 Misra Jati Jhampa Tala 69

Opening Mora 69

Palani Composition for Khanda, T. Ranganathan Version 72

A Korvai in Three Nadais 74

Tisra Nadai Setup and Korvai 79

Sankirna Koraippu 83

Ending Section 88

8 Khanda Jati Triputa Tala 91

Opening Composition 91

Palani Composition 94

Catusra Moras in Shifting Nadais 96

Catusra Koraippu 100

Ending Section 106

Part 2 Videos of the Three Tani Avartanams 111

The Performers 112

Videos can be found at https://wesleyan.edu/wespress/konnakkol/.

Part 3 Notation 113

Key to the Notation 113

Notation 115

Bibliography 167

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"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

Editorial Reviews

"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

From the Publisher