This course is designed to introduce students to North Indian music, in particular, the art of tabla (North Indian drum). This hands-on course covers the techniques of playing tabla and also covers the principles of tala (measured rhythmic count) system, along with notation and various traditional compositions. Selected viewing and reading materials will be provided to students for deepening their understanding of Indian music.

The class is designed in two levels. One is for beginners and the next level would be advanced. Beginning students will be initiated to the various sounds of the drums and taught to elicit the proper sounds from the drums by learning important techniques. They will then be introduced to fixed compositions in different talas (rhythmic) cycles culminating into a performance level by the end of the course. Advanced students are taught compositions that require a higher level of skill. They will also be introduced to the very intricate measured counting system and calculations and taught compositions from the six schools of tabla. They will be able to showcase their skills during the final recital.

The attendance portion of the grade will be based on the scale below. The only excused absences are those of personal illness or demise in the family (both requiring documentation). 0 absences fulfilling practice and satisfactory performance: A+ 1 absence: A 2 absences: B 3 absences: B- Numerous absences may result in failing grade in consultation with the department. The instructor would put in his utmost efforts in helping students better their skills and students are encouraged to approach the instructor to deepen their knowledge of the music.

指定閱讀 [Week 1-2] Wade, Bonnie C. 1987. Music in India: The Classical Traditions. New Delhi: Manohar. Kippen, James. 2008. “Working with the Masters.” In Shadows in the Field, edited by Gregory F. Barz and Timothy J. Cooley. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Week 2-3] Sharma, Manorma. 1999. Music India. New Delhi: A.P.H. Pub. Corp. Mukerji, D.P. 2002. Indian Music: An Introduction. New Delhi: Rupa & Co. [Week 4-5] Kippen, James. 1988. The Tabla of Lucknow: A Cultural Analysis of A Music Tradition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ruckert, George. 2004. Music in North India: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture. New York: Oxford University Press. 延伸閱讀 [Week 1-2] Arnold, Alison (ed.). 2000. “Garland Encyclopedia of World Music.” In Vol. 5: South Asia. New York: Garland. Kippen, James. 2008. “Hindustani Tala: An Introduction.” Concise Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. New York: Garland. *Sound Recording: Das, Partho. Mustafa, Rashid. 1992. India: Music of the Sitar. Tokyo, Japan: Victor Company of Japan. Shankar, Ravi. 2004. Ravi Shankar. London: World Music Network. [Week 2-3] O’Brien, James Patrick. 1994. Music in World Cultures: Understanding Multiculturism through the Arts. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt. *Sound Recording: Shankar, Ravi. 1998. Portrait of Genius. New York: Angel Records. *Tabla Recital in Taipei National University of Arts, 2017/10/3. [Week 4-5] Claman, David Neumann. 2002. Western Composers and India’s Music: Concepts, History, and Recent Music. Thesis (Ph.D.)--Princeton University. May, Elizabeth (ed.). 1983. Musics of Many Cultures: An Introduction. Berkeley: University of California Press. *Sound Recording: White Sun. 2016. White Sun II. U.S.: Be Why. Shankar, Ravi and Philip Glass. 1990. Passages. U.S.: Private Music.