Applying Karnatic Rhythmical Techniques to Western Music

Book excerpt: Rafael Reina argues that today’s music demands a new approach to rhythmical training that will provide musicians with the necessary tools to face more varied and complex rhythmical concepts. Reina uses the architecture of the South Indian Karnatic rhythmical system to enhance and radically change the teaching of rhythmical solfege at a higher education level. The book is a clear and complete guide that will enable future solfege teachers and students to use these techniques and their methodology to greatly improve their rhythmical skills. An accompanying website of audio examples helps to explain each technique.