Basics Of Konnakol | Vocal Percussion - Level I | Mridangam / Konnakol Exercises, Lessons
This course is an introductory course to teach students the basics of Konnakol or voice percussion practiced in Carnatic or South Indian Classical music. Konnakol can also be termed as the mimic of the mridangam instrument. Konnakol is the art of reciting syllables while simultaneously counting the tala by hand. Students successfully completing this course will be able to render taught syllables in form of words or sentences inside the frame of a rhythmic cycle or tala.
Course Duration25 Weeks
Course LevelBeginner
Instruction LanguageEnglish
Classes Taken441
Taught On
Skype
US$42(1-on-1 Class)
per class
(Tax Exclusive)
Recommended - 1 Week = 1 Class
1 Class = 60 minutes
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Educator Profile
Manjunath BC
30 Years Experience
From: India
Teacher Skill Keywords:
Konnakol, World Musician
Education
from Ganakalabhushana K N Krishnamurthy, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr T K murthy
Work Details
Director - Freelance Musician
Course Details
This course is the foundation course for learning Konnakol or voice percussion in Carnatic or South Indian Classical music. Konnakol can also be termed as the mimic of a mridangam instrument. In this course students get a brief introduction about the origins of Konnakol and its relation to the percussion instrument mridangam. They get introduced to the terms used in the artform and their meaning for e.g akshara meaning a beat within a tala. Further on students will be taught the different syllables that combine to form words or sentences framed within a rhythmic cycle. Syllables such as Tha. Dhi, Thom, Dha Kita are recited verbally, mimicking the sounds of a percussion instrument, more so the mridangam. Students will also learn about tala or rhythmic cycle which relates to the rhythmic pattern in any composition. Moving ahead, this course will teach students about the different hand movements that accompany the vocal recital of syllables in Konnakol. Students will then be taught jathi or reciting a string of vocal syllables in Konnakol. Students will also get educated on the basic lessons such as balapathas meaning basic solfeges, paluvarasas, mohras, korvai, nades or subdivision of beats.
After successful completion of this course, students can gear themselves for the next course which will look in detail at the different patterns of Konnakol, dwelling further into the tala system: Basics of Konnakol | Vocal Percussion - Level II
About BC Manjunath: Representing the fourth generation of musicians in his family, BC Manjunath has been practicing the mridangam for the last 35 years. Performing on stage for the last 30 years, BC Manjunath has had the good fortune of performing alongside the greatest exponents of music namely Pt. Ravi Shankar, Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, Mysore M. Nagraj, Dr. Suma Sudhindra, Gnana Kalabhushana K.N. Krishnamurthy and many more. Having trained under the illustrious Sangeet Kalanidhi Dr. T. K. Murthy, BC Manjunath himself has been teaching since the age of 15. Touring across the world, the vocal percussionist has performed at more than 45 countries, performing at some of the well renowned landmark locations such as Sydney Opera House, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York and many more.
Students pursuing this course get to learn an exciting form of music, i.e vocal percussion in Carnatic music. Getting trained under the able guidance of BC Manjunath considered a vidwat, derived from the word vidwan, meaning individual with immense knowledge, students can be sure they begin in the right direction in their quest of mastering the artform of Konnakol. This course gives students the perfect start to further pursue their ambitions of learning Konnakol.
Students enrolling for this long term course on ipassio can be sure that they receive individual attention from the teacher, as the class strength is limited to 2 students. It also gives teachers the opportunity, to gauge their students progress in depth and make changes whenever and wherever required, to ensure the student gets the maximum out of this course. Since, long term courses are detailed, students get the advantage of learning intricate details about this art form. The limited strength of the class also ensures that there is a strong bond between the students and their teacher clearing out any inhibitions that the student might have. The sustained guidance available from the teacher ensures that the student does not deviate from set goals or targets. Learning from a revered, experienced exponent of this art form, through the long duration of this course, keeps the student inspired and motivated to achieve more.
As with learning any art form, the students should have child-like curiosity, dedication, interest and perseverance to learn the art of Konnakol.
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