UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology

Instructor:

Allyn Miner
2655 Schoenberg Music Building
310-206-8295

Developed in temple, shrine, court, and concert-stage environments, Hindustani and Karnatak music thrive with a lively contemporary following in urban South Asia and an established international presence. This course is an introduction to the structures, instruments, and aesthetics of the North and South Indian classical music systems. We will work with readings, recordings, videos, and live performances. Topics will cover aspects of raga, tala, composition and improvisation, vocal and instrumental genres, and performance contexts. The course aims to build analytical and listening skills and the contextual foundations to appreciate, evaluate and write about India’s classical musics. Group listening, active discussion, and short writing projects make up a significant part of this class.