Theories of Asian Musics

3.0 credits · Undergraduate

This course surveys the broad range of music originating in Asia, from Arab maqam to Japanese gagaku, Mongolian khoomii to Carnatic solkattu. A primary goal is understanding what makes these musics distinct, in aspects such as pitch, time, timbre, organization, and how pieces of music are created and transmitted. In working towards this you will develop skills in critical listening and technical analysis, which we will also apply to identifying how traditional elements show up in contemporary genres, and what changes and what is retained when traditional genres are modernized. Complementing this theoretically-oriented work, we will also engage in music directly through vocal and rhythmic exercises, and hands-on instruction in Javanese gamelan.