“Was jazz inspired by Indian classical music?" Recently I did a lecture-demonstration on appreciating Indian classical music for visiting students and faculty of the business school of University of Washington Bothell. This was one of the questions that popped up when we discussed improvisation.I love these opportunities because of the learning & insights both the audience and I gain. The questions nudge me to look at the familiar in novel ways— be it gamaka (oscillation of notes in Carnatic music) or meend (gliding of notes in Hindustani music).The questions ranged from the technicalities of the music to the history and commonalities with other musical genres such as jazz.When the mridangist Phanindra Bhaskara had them clap their hands to the beat while demonstrating some rhythmic patterns during his solo, it was the icing on the cake!
It was gratifying to know what the students took away from the session - for details read here.
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