Ideas around a gypsy scale.
This piece is an intstrumental work in progress with a haunting and free gypsy feeling. It has a theme, a scale, crazy chords and a story – improvised throughout. The tuning is DADFAF, a Dminor with the E string tuned up to F – which is quite unusual I think. The scale makes it very interesting for me, because you can play it as 3 modes with roots D, A and F, but it is one scale. The story is of a people who have wandered and lost one another, they are calling to travel and find one another. There are the people of the lowlands (mode with root D), people of the plains (mode root A), and the people of the hills who start the song of reunion. They have changed over the years, so they can be discordant but they share their song (the scale) unites them.
This got over 1000 views and some lovely comments.
Comments:
Very nice!
BobSoperJr 4 hours ago
Impressive!
madahkhawns 5 months ago
Reply
this is great stuff; you should check out the guitar ragas of (late) jack rose or (the master) robbie basho.. rose is very dense and heavy on syncopation though – a bit different than what you’ve got here.. these kinda sounds are truly comforting though
matttttt84 5 months ago
really nice unclutered ,every note means something.
Impressed Notts Lad.
stanstun1 11 months ago
nice music man,i love Ravi and Anoushka Shankar,greetings from Paraguay..
Based in the Ottawa Valley, I have studied Indian classical music on sitar for several years and have developed a strong, unique, melodic style. I have played for weddings and other events as well as for Mantra Yoga and Journey Dances. The performances invariably leave a strong impression on audiences, owing to the resonance, sympathy and depth of this instrument. Though I am not far enough along in theory and musical development in Indian Classical and continue to learn, I have progressed far enough and brought a rare sensitivity to sweetness inspired by the Gayaki School of Vilayat Khan that I grew up listening to. Thus I work well with Indian semi-classical, fusion and folk. I am also strong in improvisation, and communicating with musicians and other types of performances, having played behind storytellers, yoga teachers and journey dance leaders, being able to present what best complements the session with sensitivity to the content, and with little preparation needed. I have a professional sitar which is particularly well-made and I am able to tune it beautifully. Given my background in various Western folk and popular music styles, I am very inclined to a synthesis of styles that respects . As a sitar player, I offer the following services.
Notes for fusion, session sitar, collaboration
- If you are familiar with sitar, you will have an idea of whether the instrument is appropriate to your work. The instrument is always tuned ‘open’ to C, C sharp or D, chiefly on the 1st and 4th, or 5th notes, and then the sympathetic strings are tuned to the scale (raaga) used in the piece. Generally, if the chords and scale complement one another in these keys, or in the keys resolving to the 4th and 5th, it works. Indian Classical is typically played over one chord, but sitar can work very well with chord arrangements that carry enough of the ‘colour’ of the root chord through the others.
- Tabla and other percussion I have a regular tabla player now, who may be available to work with me. I have worked with other kinds of percussion. Pitched percussion is good if we are able to tune together. Unpitched works too. The ability to apply light touch is important, otherwise the sitar will lose its place.
Sitar services:
- Session sitar for recording.
- Collaboration for fusion – many styles. Very interested in working with ambient DJ.
- Poetry or storytelling – reflective accompaniment.
- Sitar for Yoga – mantra Yoga, Yin classes, or other appropriate.
- Events. Recently performed for Curry Cook-off restaurant competition. Weddings, etc.
Though professional sitar miking is ideal, it is not always possible. I have a teardrop for pick-up that works well with P.A., and is better than inadequate microphone set-up.
I love music and it’s all about respect, fairness, trust and your budget. Costs and benefits are negotiable, most importantly sitar commands some respect, and good atmosphere and sound, sufficient time for set-up.
Contact by e-mail, arif.jinha@gmail.com
There are 10 to 12 songs ready to go, 5 have been recorded for vocals, guitar, bass and drums and now need embellishments. There will be some sitar, Indian classical vocal and tabla. Will post some more soon.
