Solkattu, the spoken rhythms and patterns of hand-clapping used by all musicians and dancers in the classical traditions of South India, is a subject of worldwide interest-but until now there has not been a textbook for students new to the practice. Designed especially for classroom use in a Western setting, the manual begins with rudimentary lessons in the simplest South Indian tala, or metric cycle, and proceeds step-by-step into more challenging material. The book then provides lessons in the eight-beat adi tala, arranged so that by the end, students will have learned a full percussion piece they can perform as an ensemble. Solkattu Manual includes web links to video featuring performances of all 150 lessons, and full performances of all three of the outlined small-ensemble pieces. Ideal for courses in world music and general musicianship, as well as independent study. Book lies flat for easy use.

INTRODUCTIONWhat is solkattu?The structure of the lessonsHow to use this bookPART ONE: TISRA JATI EKA TALAChapter One: lessons, first seriesChapter Two: lessons, second seriesChapter Three: mora series 1Chapter Four: mora series 2PART TWO: EXERCISE MORASChapter Five: four exercise morasexercise mora 1: tisra jati eka talaexercise mora 2: khanda jati eka talaexercise mora 3: misra jati eka talaexercise mora 4: sankirna jati eka talaPART THREE: ADI TALA LESSONSadi tala and the structure of the lessonsChapter Six: adi tala mora series 1Chapter Seven: a composition by Palani Sri M. Subramania Pillai (1908-1962)Chapter Eight: a korvai with its setupChapter Nine: tisra nadai, sarvalagu and korvaiChapter Ten: misra koraippuChapter Eleven: ending sectionpreparationperiya morafinal korvaiCONCLUSIONChapter Twelve: putting it all together