Lectures

Below is a general description of lectures offered, a more detailed information can be obtained on request. Most of these lectures are offered with PowerPoint and original recordings and photos from field research, wherever possible.Some are under construction, others are being revised all the time, please ask if available.
   

Bagpipes


Northumbrian Small Pipes
A look at the instrument, its development and musical range. Historical quotations and 18 century notation showing its musical possibilities. A chance to try out the music in an ensemble setting.

Border Pipes
A look at the instrument and its place in the history of the Scottish Borders. A chance to play its music in an ensemble setting.

Iberian Gaitas
An overview of the types of Spanish bagpipes (Catalonian "Sac e Gemecs"; Aragon "Gaita de Boto"; Asturian, Galician, Sanabrian Gaitas) played in Northern Spain and Portugal. Musical examples are given and a chance to play the different melodies from the various regions that support the gaita. A few gaitas will be viewed and heard.

Single Reed Bagpipes
A look at the Bohemian bagpipe, Baltic States, Scandinavian etc. their construction and historical use in comparison to other bagpipes in the region. Musical examples are given.

Peacock and Bewick
A look at the music of the Scottish and English Borders that were played by the music collectors Peacock and Bewick in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Musical examples are given as well as a chance to try out the repertoire in an ensemble setting.

Drone-less Bagpipes
A general overview of the bagpipes that exist out side of Europe that do not use a drone. A look at the use of the melody chanter and possible stylistic themes.

Drone Music
A few musical examples of drone music is played to see how wide spread and versatile this style of music making is still evident today.

European Music


Lithuanian Music 
An overview of the traditional music in Lithuania during the periods of 1991-94, using my field research and musical examples with field recordings and pictorial evidence we will look at the meaning of folk music to identify a Nations identity, as well as looking at various regional styles and instruments.

Music of the Russian Federation
A general overview of the different music that were once apart of the Soviet Union. Using musical recordings from 1991 we will look at the traditional music of the CCCP and the stylistic use in State ensembles.

Tatarstan
Using field recordings we will look at the traditional music of Tatarstan past and present.

Scandinavian Music
Taking a look at the instruments and styles of traditional music that can be found in Scandinavia.

Belorussian Folk
A personal look at the folk music from Belarusian in the 1990s, using field research recordings and photos I will try and explore the meaning of Baltic identity in a Slavonic environment.

Andalus
A brief look at music from the Iberian Peninsular that existed in the Moorish Occupation from 9th Century until the 16th Century. Looking at Sephardic and Andalus music from Morocco and also the influence the Spanish Jews had on the Ottoman Empire and the Balkans.

The Nickelharper
Looking at the evolution of the Swedish Fiddle, its construction and history. Musical examples are given.

The Kankles
A brief look at the instrument that is played throughout the Baltic States, Scandinavia and Northern Russia. Using field recordings and pictorial evidence we will look at the various forms of this instrument.


Asian Music


Qawwali
Using my research in Pakistan and India we will look at the Islamic religious music and its use in spiritual trance and historical presence in Islam. Also, it’s modern use and ritualized traditions.

Balinese Suiling
This is using my research and field recordings from Bali, Indonesia. Using my lessons into the Suling Gambuh I will explore the traditions of this long bamboo flute as well as Balinese flute music and some of its melodies and notation.

Indian Religious Music
A general overview of the main religions in the Indian Sub-continent, using musical examples and fieldwork to show how they use music in the different rituals.

Tibetan Music
A look at Tibetan Temple music, as well as the folk tradition. Instrumental music as well as vocal techniques will be presented. Using field research from India in Dharmasala. Musical examples and a look at notation will be shown.

Turkmen Music
A general overview of the music inside Turkmenistan. Seeing how traditional music and ex-Soviet styles have influenced each other.

The Dutar
Taken from my fieldwork in Turkmenistan I show the Dutar and its construction, its relationship to the Gagri Tuiduk, and its music, technique and notation. Also, I will explain the style of the Bakshi and give recorded examples for their performance.

The Saz
An overview of the instrument that comes under the description of 'The Saz' a stringed lute, and its many forms in Europe and Central Asia. Musical Examples will be presented.

Duduk Music
Taking a brief look at this reed flute that is played mainly In Azerbijan, Armenia, Turkey and Kurdistan. Musical examples and an instrument will be shown, construction and notation with a chance to play melodies.

Ethnomusicology


Field-Work
A study of Field-Work is an essential part of Ethnomusicology, without it one can not engage with music in its cultural setting, its analysis can bring conclusions and possibilities of further research. With this 'hands-on' approach comes responsibilities, ethics and duties that a researcher should be aware of. In this lecture we will examine some of these field-work techniques as well as looking at equipment and aims used in Field-Work.

Music and Nationalism
Using musical examples I will try and show how music and identity forms who we are and where we see ourselves in today world. How music can shape and transform a Nation and also how it can stereotype people and societies.

Islam and Music
A look at this controversial topic, using musical examples from West and East I will explore the tentative relationship between these 2 cultures.

Ilahi Music
A chance to play and learn melodies and songs from Turkey and the Ottoman Empire that were used in religious Sufi gatherings.

The Mevlevi Ayin
Taking a look at the Mevlevi Musical Performance of the Ayin, its many parts and a look at its instruments and its use in Sema.

The Alevi Cem
Taking a look at the 'Shia Turks' in Turkey and how they use music as part of their religious practice in their rituals. Looking at their beliefs and historical evolution of the Cem ceremony. Field research and musical examples will be given.

Indian Ritual Music
A closer look at Indian Temple music within India. Music description and instruments will be given.

Music and Trance

There are many forms of ritualized music that induces trance, we will look at a few examples and showing how it can enhance a micro society as well as cause a form of rift in the religious hierarchy of the day. Field recordings will be used to demonstrate theories.

The Sema
Exploring the ritualized music and dance of the Turkish Mevlevis in using Sema as part of their ritual, also looking at other forms of Sema and the use of the word in Islamic Societies. Field recordings will be presented.

The Bektashi Nefes
A closer look at a particular type of religious song of the Ottoman Bektashi Dervishes. Beliefs and musical examples will be given and a chance to try out the melodies in a ensemble setting.

Open-Ended Flutes


The Turkish Ney
The workshop consists of practicle and demonstrative examples of the Turkish ney. Looking at its construction, religious symbolism, music played in the Mevlevi Ensembles. Recorded musical examples are given as well as a change to play the music in an ensemble setting.

Iranian Ney
Lecture and workshop looking at the construction and playing technique. Musical examples and notation are given and a chance to explore the Dasgargh system as well as simple melodies to play in a ensemble setting.

Turkish Kaval
A lecture and workshop looking at the Turkish kaval and its music. Hearing musical recordings as well as trying out kaval notation. Examples of kaval and its construction are discussed.

Moroccan Nai
A overview of the open-ended flutes of North Africa, focusing on the Moroccan nai and the Tunisian Qasba and my research in these 2 countries. Recorded musical examples are given and a chance to play some melodies from the Andalus repertoire.

Gagri Tuiduk
Examining the open-ended flute from Turkmenistan, looking at its construction and notation, listening to recordings of my fieldwork research.

The Kurai
Using my research into the Bashkiri and Tatar Kurai I examine the open-ended flute and its use in National Identity as well as Religious Shaman use. Music examples are given as well as a chance to play its melodies.

Central Asian Open-ended Flutes
A general look at the different types of open-ended flute in the Central Asian area. Using multimedia and instrumental and musical examples I show the wide range of this instrument and its resurgence and decline and its use in National Identity.

Egyptian Nai

Using my research in Egypt I show the different types of nai in Egypt and try its music. My fieldwork and recordings construct the basis of this lecture.

Iberian Open-ended Flute

A reconstruction of the open-ended flute from Spain/Iberia. Looking at Moorish and Sephardic traditions, historical sources and geographical location, we piece together a story of the Iberian flute and how and why it disappeared and how it has shown itself once more.

No comments:

Post a Comment