Class #9 - Dec 6

Some Variations on Maqsum
 
    1...2...3...4...
a.  DkT...T.D...T...
b.  DkTk..T.D...T...
c.  D.Tk..T.D...T...
d.  D.Tkt.T.D...T...
e.  D.TktkT.D...T...
f.  D.Tk.kT.D...T...
g.  D.T.k.T.D...T...

h.  D.T.tkT.D...T...
i.  D.T..kT.D...T...
j.  D.T..kTkD...T...
k.  D.T...TkD...T...
l.  D.T...TkDk..T...
m.  D.T...T.Dk. T...
n.  D.T...T.Dkt T...
o.  D.T...T.DktkT...
p.  D.T...T.D.k.T...

q.  D.T...T.Dk.kT...
r.  D.T...T.D.tkT...
s.  D.T...T.D..kT...
t.  D.T...T.D..kTk..
u.  D.T...T.D...Tk..
v.  D.T...T.D...Tkt.
w.  D.T...T.D...Tktk

x.  D.T...T.D...T.k.
y.  D.T...T.D...Tk.k
z.  D.T...T.D...T.tk
aa. D.T...T.D...T..k

Homework

Learn your selected maqsum variations.
Combine your variations together, for example:

this  D.T...T.DktkT...
plus  D.Tk..T.D...T...
gets  D.Tk..T.DktkT...

Practice your combinations until they feel fairly natural. Prepare to teach one of the combinations in the next class.

Suggested Reading

Before you attend any of the workshops next weekend, read Getting the Most Mileage from a Master Class. 

Happy Practicing!

Class #5 - Nov 8

Rhythm Review

Maqsum 4/4
           1...2...3...4...

Home       D.T...T.D...T...

Walking    D.T.K.T.D.K.T...

Frame Drum Variations:

           1...2...3...4...
Home       D.C...C.D...T...
Walking    D.C.K.C.D.K.T...

Karachi 2/4  
           1 . . . 2 . . .
           T . . k T . D .  
           C . . k C . T .   frame drum variation


Practice Tips

Cycles
Read page 22 of the NWR book for a full explanation of cycles. While you play a rhythm, practice calling out cycles of various lengths by calling "one" on the first beat of your cycle. 

Play Along!
The  ensemble Helm has a few Karachi tracks on the album Itneen. You can hear samples on their website. You can also listen to samples, purchase tracks or buy the whole album from iTunes ($.99/$9.99) or PayPlay.fm ($.88/ $8.88).

More Steering Wheel Practice 
Waiting to turn left? Practice your timing with Left Turn Rolls. 

Class #4 - Nov 1

Class Notes for Nov 1, 2009

Maqsum 4/4
1 . 2 . 3 . 4 .
D T . T D . T . home (listen)
D T K T D K T . walking (listen)


Another variation for frame drums:

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 .
D C . T C . T . 

Where C="Cha"

Maqsum is sometimes also called "maSmuudii saghiir" (meaning "small masmoodi" - We'll learn the bigger masmoodi later). Jas says that beladi is a folksier version of maqsum.

New Calls

Reset - Break, and the person who calls it sets a new tempo.

N to A - The named individual (A) gets the specified number (N) of beats to fill while the rest of the ensemble is silent.


Practice Suggestions

See Vanquishing Wimpy Kas in Your Car


One fun way to practice your rhythm and timing is to play along with a recording. To practice both maqsum and beladi, you might like to use a track entitled (strangely enough) "Maqsum, Beladi" by The Black Drum from the album Rakshasa. You can hear a sample or buy the whole track for about a quarter. (By the way, this album rocks, and you can (currently) buy the whole thing for $3.26).