Re: Sitar Sounds out of a Guitar

["James Ko" <Kojaque@email.msn.com>]

Gary,

Thanks a lot for your offer and assistance but unfortunately I will not be
available for any music fun for the next several months.  I would like to
get back to you afterwards, though,  and look up any recordings you might
suggest as a starting point.

Thanks again

Jim Ko

----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Brain <jane16@earthlink.net>
To: <Loopers-Delight@annihilist.com>
Sent: Friday, December 31, 1999 4:17 PM
Subject: Re: Sitar Sounds out of a Guitar


> James,
>
>  I would be happy to help/answer any questions you might have regarding
> Hindustani music. I not a master by any stretch, but would certainly be
able
> to provide you with a listening list (trade tapes even), give you a brief
> high level historical view,  provide some simple chalans (structural
> foundation of the Rags), provide you with contact information of real
> Hindustani teachers, or answer any general questions you may have.
>
>  A word of caution: I started out 10 years ago with a mild curiousity
after
> reading a Olivier Messiaen interview. I found that the music had no life,
> and began a serious study (not with Ali Akbar Khan FYI) of Raga music. 3
> years later I found myself hip deep in practice for 4 hours everyday. 
>What
I
> am saying is that Raga music can be habit forming *smile*.
>
>  I must admit, the time I have spent studying has paid dividends in
regards
> to my western compositions, since the western music doesn't stress melody
as
> strongly (there is no harmony only tonal centers in Hindustani music).
Also,
> you will find quite a few fascinating theories in regards to musical time
> cycles. A great asset to any loop artist.