Meeting the rhythmical demands
of the 20th and 21st century

The four-year programme ‘Advanced Rhythm’ and the two-year programme 'Applications of Karnatic Rhythm to Western Music' taught at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, supply the training to meet the rhythmical demands of 20th and 21st Century music.

ADVANCED RHYTHM

'Advanced Rhythm' is intended for students from both classical and jazz departments, and structured for performers and composers.
Performers
The expansion of rhythmical possibilities has been one of the cornerstones of musical developments in the last hundred years, whether through western development or through the borrowing from non-western traditions. Most classical musicians, whether in orchestral or ensemble situations, will have to face a piece by Ligeti, Messiaen, Varèse or Xenakis, to mention just a few well-known composers. Improvisers face music influenced by Dave Holland, Steve Coleman, Aka Moon, Weather Report, Irakere. Or elements from the Balkans, India, Africa or Cuba. Read more
Composition
This approach within the programme revolves around rhythmical devices/complexities and microtonal concepts (the latter are optional) derived from the theory of classical South Indian (Karnatic) music, in order to use them within a western contemporary context. The final goal for the student is to achieve a higher degree of understanding of these concepts and their subsequent utilisation in today's music. The aim is never to merely copy the Karnatic tradition. Read more

Introduction to Advanced Rhythm
Online course

Any music student with even a basic knowledge of music, can enrol to follow the Introduction to Advanced Rhythm course online. In order to participate in the course please register on the Conservatorium van Amsterdam's website.

APPLICATIONS OF KARNATIC RHYTHM TO WESTERN MUSIC
The 2-year programme, ‘Applications of Karnatic Rhythm to Western music’ can be followed as a masters profile or as a special 2-year programme as a contract student, resulting in a certificate.

The programme addresses ways in which the Karnatic rhythmical system can enhance, improve or even radically change the creation (be it written or improvised) and interpretation of (complex) contemporary classical and jazz music, emphasizing the continuous dialogue between student and a coach in a weekly basis. Read more

Publications

Book: Applying Karnatic Rhythmical Techniques to Western Music
Originally published by Ashgate Publishers Ltd. in April 2015.

The book can now be ordered from Routledge in hard cover, paperback and as an ebook.

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PhD: Karnatic Rythmical Structures as a Source for New Thinking in Western Music
Rafael Reina completed a PhD at the University of Brunel in London in November 2013 on the pedagogical and creative applications of Karnatic rhythmical structures to Western music.

Read more
Other publications
   Can Karnatic Concepts produce only Karnatic music? Article by Rafael Reina published by the Bangalore Times in November 2001.

    Microtonality in South India: not so modal. Article by Rafael Reina published by the Foundation for Microtonal Music, Huygens-Fokker, in its annual magazine 2000.

T E S T I M O N I A L S

From former students and music professionals
Many former students of the programmes have gone on to win awards, to perform in renowned orchestras or contemporary music ensembles. Or have created their own successful groups. Similarly, many professional musicians and academics acquainted with the programme or Rafael Reina's book, value the far-reaching implications of studying this material.