The classical traditions of North and South India are explored extensively, focussing on instrumental and vocal styles, repertoires and improvisation with special reference to the concepts of raga and tala. This course, designed to develop critical reading, writing and speaking skills, uses early Buddhist Scriptures as its focus. Translations and excerpts are read dealing with the life of the Buddha, the doctines of Morality, Meditation and Wisdom drawing from the Buddhacarita, the Dharmapada and other seminal works. Advanced Indian Modal Improvisation A course designed to offer advanced instruction in Indian musical performance to western musicians on western instruments. Alap and gat forms are studied in the context of several complex ragas and talas.
Special attention is given to the rendering of Indian melodic ornamentation on western instruments.