July 2009 Issue
Welcome to the Ancient Future Times
Email newsletter of the World Fusion Music Ensemble Ancient Future
Twitter: Matthew Montfort (MatthewMontfort) • Ancient Future Band (Ancient_Future) • Ancient-Future.Com Records (WorldFusion)
Facebook: Ancient Future on Facebook • Matthew Montfort on Facebook

In This Issue:

30th Anniversary Concert at Freight and Salvage in Berkeley 7/26/2009
Romantic Serenades in Guerneville 7/25/2009
Contest: Win Concert Tix
More Summer Soirees
Realtime Radio

30th Anniversary Concert

CD Release Party: 3 Releases Celebrating 30 Years of World Music

Sunday, July 26 at 8 pm
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
1111 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94702
Tix: $18.50 in advance, $19.50 at the door
Info: Call 510-548-1761 or visit freightandsalvage.org.
Download concert poster: 7/26/09 Freight.pdf.

This triple bill features the pioneering world fusion music group Ancient Future, scalloped fretboard guitarist Matthew Montfort, and Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble. This 30th anniversary CD release party features music from three new releases celebrating 30 years of world fusion music.

‘Planet Passion’ (30th Anniversary Remastered Edition) by Ancient Future features top world music masters performing music on the theme of mythical stories of love. BILLBOARD calls the group Ancient Future “trendsetters” for their early contributions to the world fusion music movement. The version of Ancient Future performing on this bill concentrates on Arabic, Indian, and Spanish musical themes, and has performed in Spain at festivals in Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Botarell, Torredembarra, and Salou.

“If the members of the United Nations formed a world-fusion band, it might look and sound a little something like Ancient Future.” — LEO WEEKLY

‘Sangria’ by Mariah Parker with her Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble “blends the rhythmic syncopations of Latin jazz music with the entrancing, asymmetrical meters of East Indian rhythms resulting in first-class world music. Intriguing melodies that draw musical inspirations from the tempos of Brazil, Cuba, India, and Spain make for an uplifting serene yet passionate musical journey into an ideal world.” — LATIN BEAT MAGAZINE

“Dazzling debut... Parker’s subtle and sensuous sounds reflect exotic flavors of India, the Middle East and Latin America.”
— PALO ALTO DAILY NEWS

‘Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar’ by Matthew Montfort is the debut solo recording by Ancient Future’s bandleader. Montfort will peform works from this improvised recording which showcases his pioneering work on the scalloped fretboard guitar, a special modified instrument able to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar.

“Montfort demonstrates that even though he has considerable chops and technical prowess, he is much more interested in feeling and expression than technique. An adventurous, consistently engaging demonstration of what Montfort can accomplish on the scalloped fretboard guitar.” — ALL MUSIC GUIDE

“This album reveals a thorough knowledge of Hindustani microtonal ornaments, transferred in ways that create one of the most distinctive guitar sounds in contemporary music.” — INDIA CURRENTS

Checkout Option Sale! 3 Releases Celebrating 30 Years of World Music for $30!

Purchase 'Seven Serenades' and you will have the option of adding the following releases for a total of $30 for all three!

Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008. 6-panel Digipak CD: $17.98. Buy 1 Now. (>audio).

Sangria by Mariah Parker. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017. (>audio).

Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Ancient-Future.Com AF-2001. (>audio.)

The releases are distributed in the USA through Ryko/WEA/ADA, and are available through your local record shop, so please ask them to carry these!

Romantic Serenades for Guitar and Piano

Matthew Montfort: ‘Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar’ CD Release Concert
Seth Montfort: Latin Piano Serenades by Granados, Copland/Bernstein, Villa-Lobos & Montfort
Sandra Simich: Romantic Piano Music by Chopin

Saturday, July 25, 8:00 p.m.
Music Inside Out & Center
16375 4th Street @ Mill
(Across from the Russian River Resort)
Guerneville, CA 95446
Tix: $10. Info: 707-604-7600 or visit sfconcerto.org.
email: seth@sfconcerto.org
Download concert poster: 7/25/09 Poster.pdf.

This concert features romantic music by three performers. Pioneering scalloped fretboard guitarist Matthew Montfort is well known as the leader of the pioneering world music group Ancient Future. He has performed at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain and on tour in India with sitarist Pandit Habib Khan and tabla maestro Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri.

Matthew's brother, Seth Montfort won his first contest at 11 performing ragtime piano by Scott Joplin. He made his concerto debut at 16 performing Ravel’s Concerto for the Left Hand with the Denver Symphony. He has also made solo appearances with the Jefferson Symphony, Redwood Symphony, North Bay Philharmonic, Kensington Symphony, Diablo Symphony, National Repertory Orchestra and the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra. He has won 12 prizes in local, National and International competitions and has performed over 1,000 solo recitals.

Sandra Simich was born in Dubrovnik, Croatia. In the former Yugoslavia, she received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance, and studied with Marian Mika, Slava Gabrielov, and Irina Tchukovskaya, winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition. An established pianist she appears regularly as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician in California and Europe. She performed as an artist in residence at the International Peace Conference in Croatia and with The Tamalpais Trio for the International Red Cross relief efforts in Kosovo.

Contest: Win Tickets to CD Release Parties:

• Saturday, July 25, 8:00 p.m., Romantic Serenades for Guitar and Piano featuring Matthew Montfort: 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar' CD Release Party, Seth Montfort: Latin Piano Serenades by Granados, Copland/Bernstein, Villa-Lobos & Montfort, and Sandra Simich: Romantic Piano Music by Chopin, Music Inside Out & Center, 16375 4th Street @ Mill (across from the Russian River Resort), Guerneville, CA 95446. Tix: $10. Info: 707-604-7600, email: seth@sfconcerto.org. Download concert poster: 7/25/09 Poster.pdf.
• Sunday, July 26, 8:00 p.m., CD Release Party for 3 Releases Celebrating 30 Years of World Fusion Music featuring the band Ancient Future, Serenades by Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), and Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble, Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 1111 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94702. Tix: $18.50 in advance, $19.50 at the door. Info: Call 510-548-1761. Download concert poster: 7/26/09 Freight.pdf

Simply click on the link below and get free digital liner notes to 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar.' This extensive 18 page document includes lessons in Indian raga and sheet music from the recording! Then send a short email to info@ancient-future.com describing what you learned about music from reading the notes, along with which concert you can attend. Best short answer wins a pair of tickets and will be quoted on the Ancient Future web site next to the digital liner note download link.

Digital Liner Notes (1.7 MB)

More Summer Soirees

• Saturday, August 15, 8 p.m., Serenades by Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, glissentar), Joe Fajen (tabla, percussion), The Cozmic Cafe, 594 Main St., Placerville, CA 95667. Tix: $10 adv, $12 door. Info: 530-642-8481. Download concert poster: 8/15/09 Cozmic Cafe.pdf.
• Tuesday, August 25, 8:00 p.m., CD Release Party 'Sangria' featuring Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble, Yoshi's Jazz Club, 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oakland, CA 94607. Tix: $15 Info: Call 510-238-9200 or visit yoshis.com. Download concert poster: 8/25/09 Yoshi's.pdf.

Concert Posters (pdf, click to download):

Realtime Radio

• Friday, July 17, 11 p.m., Rhyshenda Owens interviews Matthew Montfort on 'Esoterica,' KPFZ 88.1 FM, Lakeport, CA 95453.
• Sunday, July 19, 11 p.m., Dean Suzuki interviews Matthew Montfort on 'Discreet Music,' KPFA 94.1 FM, streaming live online at www.kpfa.org, Berkeley, CA 94704.
• Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m. Rebroadcast of Rhyshenda Owens' interview with Matthew Montfort on 'Esoterica,' KPFZ 88.1 FM, Lakeport, CA 95453.
• Wednesday, July 22, 12:30 p.m., Sunshine interviews Matthew Montfort on 'Sunshine ... In the Afternoon,' KZSU 90.1 FM, streaming live online at kzsulive.stanford.edu, Stanford, CA 94309.

June 2009 Issue
Welcome to the Ancient Future Times
Email newsletter of the World Fusion Music Ensemble Ancient Future
Twitter: Matthew Montfort (MatthewMontfort) • Ancient Future Band (Ancient_Future) • Ancient-Future.Com Records (WorldFusion)

To subscribe, use the form below. Follow instructions thereafter, and make sure to ONLY check the geographic area where you live. We need this information so that we only send you information about concerts in your area. It doesn't refer to types of world music that you like.

In This Issue:
Premo Press for 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar'
Contest: Win Concert Tix for Open Secret, San Rafael, 6/19/09, & Don Quixote's, Felton, 6/25/09
Summer Soirees
Realtime Radio
Future Ancient History: 30th Year Recording Series Update

Premo Press for 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar'

>audio

Ancient-Future.Com 2008. Digipak CD- $17.98: Buy 1 Now

This Week – Friday: CD Release Concert, Friday, June 19, 7:30 pm, Open Secret, San Rafael, CA

"Leader of the world-music band Ancient Future since 1978, Matthew Montfort has adapted many string instrument styles – from sitar to zither – to his guitar. His special scalloped fretboard allows him to tweak the strings in unique ways, but his virtuosity is a lot more than technical. Friday's show lets Montfort show off his skills away from Ancient Future, while celebrating the release of his debut solo CD, 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar.' Samples on YouTube and MySpace. $12. 7:30 p.m. Open Secret Bookstore, 923 C St., San Rafael. 415-457-4191, www.ancient-future.com." – David Rubien, Datebook (Pink Section), SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Monthly Music Feature in Audiophile Magazine

"Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, Montfort’s first solo outing, is a relaxing series of pieces in which the guitarist sustains his ideas with arrangements that include wind instruments, violin, and voice. The best tunes, such as "Guari the Golden" and "Lilalit," are meditative, and allow Montfort to develop improvisations around a central theme. He doesn't dazzle with quick notes or flashy virtuosity, but lets the music play out in a more considered, deliberative manner. Seven Serenades has a cumulative effect that pulled me in. "Purple Raga," Montfort’s tribute to Jimi Hendrix, is an enjoyable reminder that Hendrix, too, was influenced by Indian and Middle Eastern music. The recording is exceptionally clear and intimate." – Joseph Taylor, GOOD SOUND! - The Experts on Affordable High-Performance Audio

Matthew Montfort- Future Fingers Between the Frets

"Like the harp guitar, the scalloped-fretboard guitar is another variation on the world's most well-known instrument. Matthew Montfort, the founder and leader of the world-fusion group Ancient Future, has been playing the instrument since 1978, when luthier Ervin Somogyi carved out the wood between the frets so that, according to the notes on the back cover, "the pads of Montfort's fingers touch only the strings, reducing friction while he bends them to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar." The appearance of the guitar isn't all that different, but the sound does indeed lie between a guitar and a sitar. On his first solo album, Montfort plays six of his own compositions, three of them in a solo format. "Celtic Raga" draws parallels between ancient Celtic and Vedic traditions. Didjeridu player Alan Tower provides droning accompaniment on a couple of tracks, including "Purple Raga," which was inspired by Jimi Hendrix." – by Paul -Emile Comeau, DIRTY LINEN

Play List: Music Reviews by Bill Binkelman

"As founder of the pioneering world fusion band Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort was instrumental in shaping that genre. For his first solo album, he casts the spotlight on the unique musical characteristics of the scalloped fret board guitar, an instrument with a highly different "personality," which is revealed through Montfort’s considerable talent. This type of guitar sounds quite different—notes can be "bent" and the music acquires an exotic, sensual characteristic. Some tracks feature Montfort going solo, while on others he’s joined by artists on santur, didgeridoo, or violin. Many of the CD’s seven tracks carry an East Indian flavor, but "Michelle’s Star" has a breezy folk-like feeling and "Celtic Raga" pulses with the lively spirit of Irish-pub music. The closing "Lilalit" is a 14-minute solo tour de force!" – Bill Binkelman, NEW AGE RETAILER

Syndicated Review

"It isn't every day that acoustic guitarists make their instrument sound a lot like an Indian sitar, but that is exactly what Matthew Montfort accomplishes on the instrumental Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar. Traditional Indian music is a strong influence on instrumentals like "Purple Raga," "Gauri the Golden," and "Lilalit," which is not to say that this is a traditional Indian album in the Ravi Shankar vein. Instead, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar is best described as world fusion; Indian music is an influence, but it isn't the disc's only influence -- and Montfort also draws on everything from Spanish flamenco to blues to folk-rock. Celtic music is an influence on "Celtic Raga," which successfully combines Irish-Celtic and Indian elements. Through it all, Montfort demonstrates that even though he has considerable chops and technical prowess, he is much more interested in feeling and expression than technique. This 56-minute CD is an adventurous, consistently engaging demonstration of what Montfort can accomplish on the scalloped fretboard guitar." – Alex Henderson, ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Seven Soul Serenades

"When I first heard this album in a quiet room late at night I thought of my mother. That was the week of Mother's Day. Mom passed two years ago. I'd been thinking about her off and on through the day, but it was a busy day. "Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar" has a technical name so I didn't expect it change my mood and slow down my thoughts. This CD slowed me down with a drone sound like throat singing played on a didjeridu with a deep roar swelling up as thought it were coming from the earth. I was not thinking of a didjeridu when the guitar and violin began to play. The drone continued quietly swelling and subsiding as the guit-box started to meander into sound. The music was emerging from that calm and undulating force beneath the surface. This album had given me a still moment, slowed my racing thoughts, and let me feel what my spirit was doing.

Matthew Montfort has the faith to believe in the beauty of disparate and rich cultures singing in harmony. He believes there is a place common to mankind for the combined voices of disparate cultures. Worlds do not collide as we are taught to expect. They coalesce when these musicians play. As the sound of this music rises, it comes together. Everything that rises must converge.

When I first heard this album, it got to me. I thought I would write a review in a couple of hours. It was beautiful, and the music moved me. Then the process of World Fusion, and the subtleties of the scalloped fretboard guitar began to fascinate me. Mr. Montfort was very generous with his time, and those afforded me an opportunity to explore with a recognized authority the intricacies of how music is created. My initial reaction to the music hasn't changed. This is an album of beautiful guitar music. I don't need to understand it to feel it. Whatever process went into the making of this music, it works just great. This music takes me to a private place. I can get there listening to a Raga, but "Seven Serenades" feels more familiar to me. These songs change the quality of my thought when I listen intently.

I think master improvisor and composer Yousef Lateef's statement about the music of Lester Young applies to this album. "[S]ome sounds make us hear someone’s character." When I hear an improvisor, I hear what that musician has to offer. John Coltrane said it best: "When I've heard a man's music, I've heard that man."" – Billy Sheppard, BILLYSBUNKER.COM

Condensed for this newsletter. Read the whole reviews: www.ancient-future.com/pdf/MediaMatthewMontfort.pdf

On Sale: 3 Releases Celebrating 30 Years of World Music for $30

Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008. 6-panel Digipak CD: $17.98. Buy 1 Now. (>audio).

Checkout Option Sale! 3 CDs for $30! Purchase 'Seven Serenades' and you will have the option of adding the following releases for a total of $30 for all three!

Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Ancient-Future.Com AF-2001. (>audio.)

Sangria by Mariah Parker. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017. (>audio).

All of the releases are distributed in the USA through Ryko/WEA/ADA, and are available through your local record shop, so please ask them to carry these!

Contest: Win Tickets to CD Release Parties:

• Friday, June 19, 7:30 p.m., 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar' CD Release Party featuring Matthew Montfort, Open Secret, 923 C St., San Rafael, CA 94901. Tix: $12. Info: 415-457-4191. Download concert poster: 6/19/09 Open Secret.pdf.
• Thursday, June 25, 8:00 p.m., Acoustic Guitar Double bill featuring Matthew Montfort ('Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar' CD Release Party) and the William Coulter Trio with Barry and Shelley Phillips, Don Quixote's International Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018. Tix: $15. Info: 831-603-2294. Download concert poster: 6/25/09 Don Quixotes.pdf.

Simply click on the link below and get free digital liner notes to 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar.' This extensive 18 page document includes lessons in Indian raga and sheet music from the recording! Then send a short email to info@ancient-future.com describing what you learned about music from reading the notes, along with which concert you can attend. Best short answer wins a pair of tickets and will be quoted on the Ancient Future web site next to the digital liner note download link.

Digital Liner Notes (1.7 MB)

Contests open to subscribers only. If you are not already receiving this newsletter, please subscribe before entering:

Summer Soirees

• Friday, June 19, 7:30 p.m., 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar' CD Release Party featuring Matthew Montfort, Open Secret, 923 C St., San Rafael, CA 94901. Tix: $12. Info: 415-457-4191. Download concert poster: 6/19/09 Open Secret.pdf.
• Thursday, June 25, 8:00 p.m., Acoustic Guitar Double bill featuring Matthew Montfort ('Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar' CD Release Party) and the William Coulter Trio with Barry and Shelley Phillips, Don Quixote's International Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018. Tix: $15. Info: 831-603-2294. Download concert poster: 6/25/09 Don Quixotes.pdf.
• Saturday, July 25, 8:00 p.m., Romantic Serenades for Guitar and Piano featuring Matthew Montfort: 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar' CD Release Party, Seth Montfort: Latin Piano Serenades by Granados, Copland/Bernstein, Villa-Lobos & Montfort, and Sandra Simich: Romantic Piano Music by Chopin, Music Inside Out & Center, 16375 4th Street @ Mill (across from the Russian River Resort), Guerneville, CA 95446. Tix: $10. Info: 707-604-7600, email: seth@sfconcerto.org. Download concert poster: 7/25/09 Poster.pdf.
• Sunday, July 26, 8:00 p.m., CD Release Party for 3 Releases Celebrating 30 Years of World Fusion Music featuring the band Ancient Future, Serenades by Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), and Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble, Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 1111 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94702. Tix: $18.50 in advance, $19.50 at the door. Info: Call 510-548-1761. Download concert poster: 7/26/09 Freight.pdf.
• Saturday, August 15, 8 p.m., Serenades by Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, glissentar), Joe Fajen (tabla, percussion), The Cozmic Cafe, 594 Main St., Placerville, CA 95667. Tix: $10 adv, $12 door. Info: 530-642-8481. Download concert poster: 8/15/09 Cozmic Cafe.pdf.
• Tuesday, August 25, 8:00 p.m., CD Release Party 'Sangria' featuring Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble with featuring Mariah Parker (piano, santur), Paul McCandless (woodwinds, horns), Matthew Montfort (guitars), Kash Killion (bass, cello), Duru Demetrius (Latin percussion), Debopriyo Sarkar (tabla), Yoshi's Jazz Club , 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oakland, CA 94607. Tix: $15 Info: Call 510-238-9200 or visit yoshis.com. Download concert poster: 8/25/09 Yoshi's.pdf.

Concert Posters (pdf, click to download):

Realtime Radio

• Friday, June 19, 1 p.m., Avotcja Interviews Matthew Montfort on La Verdad Musical, KPOO-FM 89.5, streaming live online at www.kpoo.com, San Francisco, CA 94115.
• Sunday, June 21, 11:30 a.m., Serenades by Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, glissentar), Please Stand By on KPIG (1510 AM), streaming live online at www.kpig.com, Watsonville, CA 95076.

Future Ancient History: 30th Year Recording Series

Digital Article on Ancient Future History (1.5 MB, streaming audio)

To commemorate 30 years of world fusion music, a 30th Year Recording Subscription Series is in the works. To support music of a high standard of musicianship and recording quality in the current state of the music business, we need direct support from you.

We've been so busy promoting the three 30th anniversary CD releases and concerts that there hasn't been much time to raise money for the next Ancient Future CD. The 30th anniversary promotion is now winding down, and so it is time to devote energy to the fundraising process.

We need to raise 10% of the goal to begin recording, so please consider subscribing. While we are raising money, we are making available archival recordings as mp3 files exclusively to supporters of the project so that there is instant gratification for participating in the project. Thanks go out to the following people who have already subscribed: Vincent Martel, Cliff Sears, Alan Moore of Musicians for Peace, and Leslie Lawton.

April 2009 Issue
Welcome to the Ancient Future Times
Email newsletter of the World Fusion Music Ensemble Ancient Future
Twitter: Matthew Montfort (MatthewMontfort) • Ancient Future Band (Ancient_Future) • Ancient-Future.Com Records (WorldFusion)

To subscribe, use the form below. Follow instructions thereafter, and make sure to ONLY check the geographic area where you live. We need this information so that we only send you information about concerts in your area. It doesn't refer to types of world music that you like.

In This Issue:
CD Spotlight: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar
Future Ancient History: 30th Year Recording Series Update
Spring Soirees

by Matthew Montfort

>audio

Ancient-Future.Com 2008. Digipak CD- $17.98: Buy 1 Now.

Free Digital 1 Sheet (552 k, streaming audio)

This debut recording by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort showcases his pioneering work on the scalloped fretboard guitar, a special modified instrument able to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar. While previously known more for his compositions for the trendsetting world music group Ancient Future, this first solo effort features his improvisational music.

Biography

“Matthew Montfort conjures lovely Asian zither-like inflections with a scalloped fretboard guitar.”
– GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE

As leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort has devoted himself to the scalloped fretboard guitar since 1978. He spent years of study with some of the world’s best musicians, such as gamelan director K.R.T. Wasitodipuro, North Indian sarod master Ali Akbar Khan, and vina master K.S. Subramanian, with whom he did an intensive study of South Indian note-bending techniques. He has performed concerts worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai. He has worked with many world music legends, including tabla phenomenon Zakir Hussain and Chinese zither master Zhao Hui. Montfort wrote the book “Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India,” which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills.

“I first realized Matthew Montfort was a true guitar wizard when he called me on the phone and played me one flawless Hendrix riff after another. We were in the seventh grade. By the time we escaped high school, Matt had gone acoustic, turning coffee house basements into his own planet with fierce improvisations touching on an occasional Spanish or Celtic launching pad. Now a pioneering master of world fusion, Matt continues to travel, study, absorb and immerse himself in musics and traditions all over the globe. His knowledge and depth are staggering, yet he doesn't let it get in the way of the joy and spirit and soul that we like about music in the first place.” – Jello Biafra, (seminal punk rock singer, Dead Kennedy front man turned spoken word activist, politician) ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES RECORDS, Sept. 06, 2008

“Though he plays guitar, Montfort's music isn't merely guitar music; it's a sonic environment that features a guitar. Strong Indian and Balinese influences permeate these seven exotic soundscapes. Beautifully recorded, this sumptuous music creates a unique wall of sound that you won't soon forget.” – Steven Stone, VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE

The Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

Scalloped fretboards are not new to string instruments. Many lutes have scalloped fretboards, some of purely ornamental nature. However, scalloping a fretboard on a guitar in order to facilitate note bending is a relatively new phenomenon.

Montfort is a pioneer among guitarists who have had their fretboards scalloped in order to play various forms of world music that require intricate note-bending ornaments while still being able to play chords. Montfort immersed himself in an intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian in order to fully apply the South Indian gamaka (note-bending) techniques to the guitar. The method is based on pulling the strings across the frets in order to raise the pitch.

"The mind-bending playing abilities of guitar virtuoso, Matthew Montfort, stem from the note-bending capabilities of the scalloped fretboard guitar. This produces a different sound than the more familiar guitar, because the fretboard is carved out, so the fingers only touch the strings." – Matthew Forss, InsideWorldMusic.com

Seven Serenades Concept

Born of an emergency drive-by serenade rendezvous. Seven serenades following the muse on the path of improvisation, inspired and informed by the great musical traditions, but not bound by them. Improvisations becoming compositions of longing captured at the moment of conception.

“This album reveals a thorough knowledge of Hindustani microtonal ornaments, transferred in ways that create one of the most distinctive guitar sounds in contemporary music. However, it also reveals a lifetime of exploration in world music, which can be immediately summoned in a flash of inspiration. When this level of mastery is reached, there is no need to rewrite. The first improvisation has the depth of a reworked composition.” – Teed Rockwell, INDIA CURRENTS, March 2009

“Montfort's willingness to let the music just "flow", without forcing it to move in a particular direction, shows more skill at improvisation than many self-proclaimed improv "masters" have. A wonderful musical excursion that is all based on the moment as the motive... this gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as well as our "PICK" of this issue for "best guitar improvisation".”– Rotcod Zzaj, IMPROVIJAZZATION

“Matthew Montfort is a true guitar master. His instrument conveys the smallest nuances of the artist’s emotions. He masterfully combines a perfect performance with Eastern meditative approach. The artist is not afraid to improvise and to blend various genres in his guitar music. His “Purple Raga” is adorned with the captivating drones of an Australian didgeridoo. I could name this composition as world raga rock. In general Matthew Montfort’s music goes beyond any boundaries. He is truly one of the world’s best guitarists. The first solo effort of Matthew Montfort is a real handbook for guitarists and a great pleasure for the ears of all guitar music lovers!” – SergeKozlovsky.com

“The most beautiful, soulful guitar I have ever heard!!”– Chandi Devi, KarmaCaffe.com (Listen to her 3/25/09 interview with Montfort on BlogTalk.com)

On Sale: 3 Releases Celebrating 30 Years of World Music for $30

Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008. 6-panel Digipak CD: $17.98. Buy 1 Now. (>audio).

Checkout Option Sale! 3 CDs for $30! Purchase 'Seven Serenades' and you will have the option of adding the following releases for a total of $30 for all three!

Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Ancient-Future.Com AF-2001. (>audio.)

Sangria by Mariah Parker. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017. (>audio).

All of the releases are distributed in the USA through Ryko/WEA, and are available through your local record shop, so please ask them to carry these!

Future Ancient History: 30th Year Recording Series

Digital Article on Ancient Future History (1.5 MB, streaming audio)

To commemorate 30 years of world fusion music, a 30th Year Recording Subscription Series is in the works. We have raised 1% of our project goal. Thanks go out to the following people: Vincent Martel, Cliff Sears, Alan Moore of Musicians for Peace, and Leslie Lawton.

While we are raising money, we are making available archival recordings as mp3 files exclusively to supporters of the project so that there is instant gratification for participating in the project. The first archival recording has just been posted.

We need to raise 10% of the goal to begin recording. To that end, there are four supporter packages available. You can be a virtual fly-on-the-wall during the recording process through the Recording Newsletter Package ($10, Buy 1 Now). This is the way to get the secret stories involving famous singers and studio antics that no one else gets, plus you get a 30% discount on the final release. The Download Supporter Package ($25, Buy 1 Now) includes the newsletter plus downloads of archival recordings and new music as it is recorded. The Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package ($50, Buy 1 Now) includes all of the above plus an exclusive limited edition CD. Finally, the Honorary A & R Representative Package ($75, Buy 1 Now) includes all of the above plus a DVD with video and hi-rez audio.

Spring Soirees

Saturday, April 25, 6:00 p.m., Pandit Habib Khan (sitar, composition), Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), George Brooks (sax), M. Nejad (violin), many others, Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose CA 95116. Tix: $20 and $15. Info: 408-528-0786, 408-996-2446, 650-255-9752.

Saturday, May 16, 3:30 p.m., Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Himalayan Fair, Live Oak Park, 1300 Shattuck Ave., North Berkeley, CA 94709. Info: 510.869.3995

Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 7:00-9:30 p.m., Acoustic Guitar Showcase with Teja Gerken and Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Bazaar Café, 5927 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94121. Info: 415-831-5620

Friday, June 5, 2009, 7:00 p.m., Emam and Friends featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Gari Hegedus (oud, mandocello, violin), Josh Massad (percussion), and Emam (tabla, percussion), The Frick Art & Historical Center, 7227 Reynolds Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208. Tix: Suggested donation is $5.00 per adult. Info: 412-371-0600.

Saturday, June 6, 2009, 7:30 p.m., Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), and Emam (tabla, percussion), Yoga Matrika, 6520 Wilkins Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Tix: $15 / $10 Students. Info: 412-855-5692.

Thursday, June 11, 11:00 p.m., Serenades by Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, glissentar), Live In Studio A on KDVS 90.3 FM, streaming live online at www.kdvs.org, Davis , CA 95616.

Friday, June 19, 7:30 p.m., 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar' CD Release Party featuring Matthew Montfort, Open Secret, 923 C St., San Rafael, CA 94901. Tix: $12. Info: 415-457-4191

Sunday, June 21, 11:30 a.m., Serenades by Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, glissentar), Please Stand By on KPIG (1510 AM), streaming live online at www.kpig.com, Watsonville, CA 95076.

Thursday, June 25, 8:00 p.m., Double bill featuring 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar' CD Release Party featuring Matthew Montfort and William Coulter Trio with Barry and Shelley Phillips, Don Quixote's International Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018. Info: 831-603-2294

February 2009 Issue
Welcome to the Ancient Future Times
Email newsletter of the World Fusion Music Ensemble Ancient Future

To subscribe, use the form below. Follow instructions thereafter, and make sure to ONLY check the geographic area where you live. We need this information so that we only send you information about concerts in your area. It doesn't refer to types of world music that you like.

In This Issue:

3 New Releases Celebrating 30 Years of World Music
Return to the  Sleeping Lady
World Beat Workshop at Esalen
Future Ancient History: 30th Year Recording Series
Recess Shuns Recesssion: Playing Tag

Presents 3 New Releases Celebrating 30 Years of World Music!

Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008. 6-panel Digipak CD: $17.98 list. Buy 1 Now. Release Date: Feb. 10, 2009. (>audio).

The debut recording by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort showcases his pioneering work on the scalloped fretboard guitar, a special modified instrument able to produce ornaments characteristic of the sitar. ‘Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar’ follows the muse on the path of improvisation, inspired and informed by the ancient musical traditions of the world, but not bound by them.

“This album reveals a thorough knowledge of Hindustani microtonal ornaments, transferred in ways that create one of the most distinctive guitar sounds in contemporary music. However, it also reveals a lifetime of exploration in world music, which can be immediately summoned in a flash of inspiration. When this level of mastery is reached, there is no need to rewrite. The first improvisation has the depth of a reworked composition.” – Teed Rockwell, INDIA CURRENTS

“A true guitar wizard.” — Jello Biafra, (seminal punk rock singer, Dead Kennedy front man turned spoken word activist, politician) ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES RECORDS

“The most beautiful, soulful guitar I have ever heard!!” — Chandi Devi, Editor, KARMACAFFE.COM

Matthew Montfort

As leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort devoted himself to the scalloped fretboard guitar since 1978. He spent years of study with of the world’s best musicians, such as gamelan director K.R.T. Wasitodipuro, North Indian master Ali Akbar Khan, and vina master K.S. Subramanian, with whom he did an intensive of South Indian note-bending techniques. He has performed concerts worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai. He has worked with many world music legends, including tabla phenomenon Zakir Hussain and Chinese zither master Zhao Hui.

“Matthew Montfort conjures lovely Asian zither-like inflections with a scalloped fretboard guitar.”
— GUITAR PLAYER

“Matthew Montfort plays a special, scalloped fretboard acoustic instrument that lets him get the bends of an Indian sitar. He uses it to weave seductive melodies.” — John Diliberto, ECHOES RADIO

“Matthew Montfort is an American Ravi Shankar on guitar.” — Pandit Habib Khan, sitarist

“Master of the scalloped fretboard guitar.” — J. Poet, EAST BAY EXPRESS

Sangria

Sangria by Mariah Parker. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017. 6-panel Digipak
CD: $17.98 list. Buy 1 Now. Release Date: Feb. 10, 2009. (>audio).

“This is an excellent album from pianist Mariah Parker, whose work is best described as world jazz. Parker brings a wide variety of influences to ‘Sangria,’ ranging from Indian and Middle Eastern music to Afro-Cuban salsa and Brazilian samba.  Parker, of course, didn't invent the idea of world jazz.... but she keeps it moving forward; she takes chances, demonstrating that the fusion of jazz and world music still has plenty of possibilities after all these years — and a global perspective serves Parker well throughout the rewarding ‘Sangria.’”— ALL MUSIC GUIDE

“This collection of eight original instrumentals by Mariah Parker is just one of many examples of the infusion of East Indian music into Western music, but to my ears one of the most successful.”— AUDIOPHILE AUDITION

"Parker kicks off her solo career with a well textured world beat date that finds her multi-instrumentalist abilities and her wide open ears leading the way. There’s nothing but pros on board here who know what to do and they do it in a lively, spontaneous fashion that really grabs you. First class world beat that really covers the bases."  — Chris Spector, MIDWEST RECORD

Mariah Parker

While completing her degree in music at UC Santa Cruz, composer and multi-instrumentalist Mariah Parker worked with ethnomusicologist Fred Lieberman and Mickey Hart on the “Planet Drum” project. She has performed in the US and Europe, and worked with many musicians of note including composer Pauline Oliveros, the late Dumisani Maraire (renowned composer from Zimbabwe) and others. She has studied with jazz great Art Lande and Latin jazz pianist extraordinaire Rebeca Mauléon, and performs regularly on piano and santur with several different ensemble variations of the group Ancient Future.

Planet Passion (30th Anniversary Remastered Edition)

Planet Passion (30th Anniversary Remastered Edition) by Ancient Future. Ancient-Future.Com AF-2010. 64-Bit Tuned Harmonic Mastering. 4-panel Digipak CD with 6 page booklet: $17.98 list. Buy 1 Now. Release Date: Feb. 10, 2009. (>audio.)

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first Ancient Future concert (Feb. 11, 1979), the seventh Ancient Future recording is being re-issued with 64-Bit Tuned Harmonic mastering. ‘Planet Passion’ “features music that irresistibly moves both body and soul. But then, one expects nothing less from the visionary players for whom the description ‘world fusion’ was coined. Laying the groundwork for some of today’s most successful world beat acts like Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra, Vas, Dead Can Dance and even the jazz-world beat band, Shadowfax, Ancient Future has grown into a global village of 19 musicians whose rich heritage includes erotic rhythms, sensuous voices and inspired instrumentation from Africa, India, Asia (especially Bali), South America and the Middle East. The tunes included are diverse, yet equally captivating, evoking all that is most appealing about music from a global village.”— CDNOW.COM

“The crew celebrates its 30th anniversary by reissuing its 7th album in a spiffy remaster that brings its world fusion into a sharper focus for any self-respecting earbud wearer that really wants to hear the music within the music. Almost like Shadowfax without having to answer to a record label, this crew pioneers their own course through the world beat/fusion maze. A dense and delightful revamping of a 2001 journey through love across the world that still has its initial oomph.” — Chris Spector, MIDWEST RECORD

“Shamelessly beautiful, ‘Planet Passion’ is easily the pinnacle of this group’s long career.” — Bob Tarte, THE BEAT

SALE: There are still a few copies of the original edition of Planet Passion in stock. Soon to be a collector's item. $10 while supplies last! Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Ancient-Future.Com AF 2001. Ordinary 16-Bit Mastering. 4-panel Digipak CD with 6 page booklet: $10.00. Buy 1 Now.

Ancient Future

Ancient Future is the first and longest running musical ensemble dedicated exclusively to the mission of creating world fusion music. The term was coined by bandleader Matthew Montfort in 1978 to describe Ancient Future’s unusual blend of musical traditions from around the world. BILLBOARD calls the group “trendsetters” for their early contributions to the movement. Ancient Future has released seven full length studio CDs selling over 150,000 units, and is also featured on samplers selling millions of units on labels such as Putumayo and Narada.

“Ancient Future is a rare kind of band that might simultaneously aggravate purists, confound New Age dilettantes, seduce skeptics, and dazzle just about everybody else. Delicious compositions, intricate arrangements, crisp playing and impeccable production put these ambitious voyagers in a league of their own.” — Derk Richardson, SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN

Return to the Sleeping Lady

After a long absence, the Sleeping Lady is beckoning. She was silent for many years, but in late 2008, exactly 30 years from the first jam sessions of the original version of the band Ancient Future, she re-awakened  just down the street from her place of last repose in Fairfax, California.

As luck would have it, Teja Gerken, the editor of Acoustic Guitar Magazine, is holding an acoustic guitar showcase Feb. 11, 2009, at the new Sleeping Lady Cafe, and has invited Montfort to perform a song or two as part of the showcase to celebrate the release of his first solo guitar recording the previous day.

So on that day, Matthew Montfort will return to the club where Ancient Future played its first concert exactly 30 years earlier. He is planning on asking her if she would like a date with a full band in the spring for old times sake.

The Sleeping Lady apparently loves a circle completed. After all, it is hard to leave the Ancient Future behind...

February 11, 2009, 9:30 pm, Teja Gerken's Acoustic Guitar Showcase, Sleeping Lady Cafe, 23 Broadway, Fairfax, CA94930. Info: 415.485.1182

World Beat Workshop at Esalen

Got Rhythm? Get Rhythm This Spring!

Getting your timing skills in order is a great way to usher in spring, and Esalen Institute is a beautiful place to do it.

Increase your rhythmic skills by learning world rhythms! Taught by Matthew Montfort of Ancient Future, from his book Ancient Traditions -- Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. (Book/Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI Soundfiles: $52.95: Buy 1 Now.)

The book received rave reviews in publications such as GUITAR PLAYER, ELECTRONIC MUSICIAN, DRUMS AND DRUMMING, and the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE. Material from the book has been used by many teachers and musicians around the world, including Reinhard Flatischler, founder of the TaKeTiNa rhythm training process, and Steve Smith, famed jazz and rock drummer.

Weekend of March 20-22, 2009. Starts at 8:30 pm on March 20 and ends at 11:30 am on March 22. World Rhythms Workshop, Esalen Institute, 55000 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920. Cost: Workshop alone: Regular Rate- $370. Friends of Esalen Rate- $320. With Bunk Bed Room: Regular Rate- $515. Friends of Esalen Rate- $465. With standard accommodations: Friends of Esalen Rate- $605. Regular Rate-$655. Standard accommodations is shared housing with two or three persons per room. Contact Esalen for other options. Reservations: 831-667-3005, Registration Form: www.esalen.org/assets/forms/EsalenReservationForm.pdf. Fax: 831-667-2724. Email: info@esalen.org

The workshop is presented in an easy to follow, entertaining yet educational format for all music lovers. African polyrhythms, Balinese kotèkan and Indian cycles were chosen as the source material for the training because these three traditions in combination cover the major types of rhythmic organization used in most of the world's music. Not just for musicians and percussionists, this training can help anyone with a desire to improve their rhythmic skills. No musical background is required.

Future Ancient History: 30th Year Recording Series

Digital Article on Ancient Future History (1.5 MB, streaming audio)

In December, 1978, Ancient Future went into Tres Virgos Studio in Mill Valley to begin work on the first Ancient Future record, Visions of a Peaceful Planet, which was first released in May of 1979. To commemorate 30 years of world fusion music, a 30th Year Recording Subscription Series was planned with work starting in late 2008.

Well,  some work DID happen in December 2008 on a recording featuring several Ancient Future members and a famous gipsy singer!  Several more supporters subscribed to the 30th Year Recording Subscription Series. Thanks go out to the following people: Cliff Sears, Alan Moore of Musicians for Peace, and Leslie Lawton.

Because of all the current activities surrounding the new releases, spring is a great time to start work again on the next recording. In the meantime, the money does need to be raised to pay for it. To that end, there are four supporter packages available. You can be a virtual fly-on-the-wall during the recording process through the Recording Newsletter Package ($10, Buy 1 Now). This is the way to get the secret stories involving famous singers and studio antics that no one else gets, plus you get a 30% discount on the final release. The Download Supporter Package ($25, Buy 1 Now) includes the newsletter plus downloads of archival recordings and new music as it is recorded. The Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package ($50, Buy 1 Now) includes all of the above plus an exclusive limited edition CD. Finally, the Honorary A & R Representative Package ($75, Buy 1 Now) includes all of the above plus a DVD with video and hi-rez audio.

Recess Shuns Recession: Playing Tag

Here's something to  provide some fun and games for those who have suddenly found themselves with a little more time and less money. Here is how the game goes. Simply go to the links  for each release below, and review and tag the releases with appropriate keywords. You can use your real name when you sign on, or make up a cool pen name.

Send your real name/pen name and address to info@ancient-future.com. The entries with the best tags and reviews get a free copy of their choice of one of the releases below.

Tag Seven Serenades

Tag Sangria

Tag Planet Passion

Issue 11: West African Bell Pattern

Welcome to the World Rhythms News, an infrequent newsletter dedicated to world music education. This issue covers a West African bell pattern.

West African Rhythm

In West Africa, societies such as the Yoruba, the Eve, the Akan and the Ibo possess a music rich in rhythmic vitality. It is a music of multiple layers of rhythms. While European classical music has developed complex harmonies of tones, African music has developed a complex interweaving of contrasting rhythmic patterns. The African musician often strives for the occurrence of at least two different rhythms at once, and it is precisely this juxtaposition of opposing rhythms that creates the vital spark of African music.

Eve Bell Pattern with Clap

The Eve people of West Africa often use what could be called nonsense syllables for lack of better words to remember a resultant rhythm. Here, the syllable dzi (pronounced "jee") is used for the four hand claps, and the syllable GO (pronounced "ga") is used for the bell. Where both parts coincide, the syllable is that of the clap. The Eve think of the resultant rhythm as ending on the first beat of the bell and therefore starting in the second note of the bell pattern. This brings up a principle in African music, which is the tendency for a second pattern to regard the first note of a background pattern as the place to end a phrase rather than to begin one. The African musician unifies his time with the last beat he plays rather than the first. This exercise was adapted for this newsletter from the book, Ancient Traditions -- Future Possibilities: by Matthew Montfort. , Exercise V B-2, page 33.

bell:     |:  GO  *   GO  *    GO  GO  *   GO  *   GO  *   GO  :| GO
clap:        |:  dzi *   *   dzi  *   *   dzi *   *   dzi *   *   :| dzi
resultant: |: (dzi)*   GO  dzi  GO  GO  dzi GO  *   dzi *   GO  :| dzi

In the above example, "*" stands for an eighth-note rest in 12/8 time, the syllables "GO" and "dzi" each stand for an eighth note, "|" stands for a bar line, and "|:" and ":|" are repeat signs.

A resultant is the sound created when two different rhythmic parts are played together. A musician must keep in mind this resultant rhythm while playing, to insure that the parts interlock properly. The first "dzi" of the resultant pattern is left out of the first cycle, shown in the notation by in parenthesis. The resultant phrase does not start until the syllable "GO," ending on the first beat of the cycle, as follows:

GO dzi GO GO dzi GO * dzi * GO |dzi

Tap the bell part with the right hand while tapping the clap part with the left hand, and simultaneously recite the syllables, alternating between the syllables for the bell part, clap and resultant. The following chart may be helpful in visualizing your hand alternation:

   R * R * R R * R * R * R
   
   
   L * * L * * L * * L * *

Eve Bell Pattern MIDI File. This MIDI file is a performance of the bell pattern against the clap. Listen for each part separately.

Resultant Pattern MIDI File. This MIDI file is a performance of the resultant pattern created by the bell pattern and clap. Therefore, it does not start on the first beat of the cycle, for the reasons stated above.

Further Study

World Beat Workshop at Esalen.

For further study of West African rhythm, along with Balinese and Indian rhythms, this workshop is a great introduction. Taught by Matthew Montfort of Ancient Future, from his book Ancient Traditions -- Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. Getting your timing skills in order is a great way to end the year so you can begin 2008 with better rhythm skills, and Esalen Institute is a beautiful place to do it!

December 28-30, 2007, 8:30 PM 12/28/07 through 11:30 AM 12/30/07, World Rhythms Workshop, Esalen Institute, Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920. Cost: Workshop alone: Regular Rate- $370. Friends of Esalen Rate- $320. With Bunk Bed Room: Regular Rate- $515. Friends of Esalen Rate- $465. With standard accommodations: Friends of Esalen Rate- $605. Regular Rate-$655. Standard accommodations is shared housing with two or three persons per room. Contact Esalen for other options. Reservations: 831-667-3005, Registration Form: www.esalen.org/assetts/RezForm.pdf. Fax: 831-667-2724. Email: info@esalen.org

The Book

For home study of West African rhythm, a good resource is the book &147;Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India.&148; The above rhythms are from the audio guide tracks to this "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort, leader of the popular world fusion music ensemble, Ancient Future. The book takes the student on a musical voyage through the traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. A must-have for all students of world music:

Ancient Traditions -- Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. By Matthew Montfort. Mill Valley: Panoramic Press, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2. Spiral Bound Book, $29.95: Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now. Book/Enhanced 2 Audio CD Set with MIDI Soundfiles:$52.95 (SALE! Normally $74.95): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.

The exercises are now also available in a companion audio format to supplement the book for those who don't read music well:

Ancient Rhythms--Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India PLUS Complete 2 CD Set of Audio Guide Tracks . By Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music (2005). Companion 2 Volume Enhanced Audio CD set with MIDI Soundfiles, 27.95 (SALE! Normally $39.95): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now. A complete 2 CD set of audio guide tracks PLUS a CD-ROM presentation of MIDI files based on the book Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities.

This two CD/CD-ROM set of audio tracks and MIDI files helps reinforce the material in the book and insures practicing correctly and in rhythm. Volume I and covers the exercises in the West Africa and Bali chapters of the book. Volume II covers the exercises in the India and Future Possibilities chapters. The General MIDI sound files of the exercises in the book can be used with a web browser for playback, or can be loaded into a MIDI sequencer for greater control. The CD-ROM even includes MIDI maps of West African, Balinese, and Indian percussion sound assignments enable custom re-mapping to your patches and instructions to turn your sequencer into a tabla machine using VSTi plug-ins and included tabla samples.

All compositions, recordings, video, and text in this article are ©, Patent 2007 Ancient Future Music. All rights reserved.

Issue 10. Winter 2007: North Indian Raga Applied to Contemporary Music



Welcome to the World Rhythms News, an infrequent newsletter dedicated to world music education. This issue is dedicated to Hindustani raga, which is the melodic basis for the classical music of northern India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. To subscribe, use the form below. Follow instructions thereafter, and make sure to check "World Music Education" in the "Interests" section of the sign up process.

A raga is a melodic recipe for a mood. In Hindustani music, each raga has certain moods associated with it, and usually has a specific time of day and/or season in which it is meant to be played. Raga could be described as a “super scale” using a set of notes in ascending (arohi) and descending (avarohi) order, sometimes including prescribed alternate or zig zag routes (vakra chal), a hierarchy of note importance including king notes (vadi) and prime minister notes (samvadi) a fourth or fifth apart, and a key phrase that shows the heart of the movement of the raga (pakar).

This ancient system is both an art and a science of how musical notes create certain moods. Western music also recognizes that note order and hierarchy create a mood, with some theory texts noting that songs in major keys tend to communicate happiness while songs in minor keys show a feeling of sadness. But the rags show precisely how to create a specific mood. The recipe for each raga holds the key to an unlimited number of potential melodies, each perpetuating the mood contained in the raga, but each a unique work of art.

Study of this system can be of great benefit to any composer or improvising musician.

Sargam

Indian raga uses a system of solfeggio called sargam. There are seven note names per octave, just as in the Western “do re mi fa so la ti do” system, starting with “sa,” the tonic note that is also the main drone note. Indian music does not utilize the concept of “perfect pitch” where absolute note values are recognized. Sa can be set to any note, and is normally set to the most convenient place for the instrumentalist or vocalist. For example, a sitar is normally tuned with sa at a Western equivalent near C.. or D because that is the most practical place for that instrument. The other notes are then found in relationship to sa.

Sargam:        Sa  Re  Ga  Ma  Pa  Dha Ni  Sa
Scale degree:  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8
If sa is D:    D   E   F..  G   A   B   C..  D

Just as in Western music, there are 12 main tones per octave, but there are also microtonal ornaments similar to the use of quarter tones in the blues. Indian raga uses a non-tempered tuning system where Sa and Pa are tuned a perfect just fifth apart. The other notes are close to the Western just tuning system, but the tuning of individual notes can vary from raga to raga.

The note name system is much less confusing than the interval system in use in Western music. Each scale degree needs only one name because ragas do not change key. The word komal is used for the minor or flat version of a note, shuddh means natural or major, and tivra corresponds to sharp or augmented. Sa (1) and pa (5) cannot be modified. Re (2), ga (3) dha (6) and ni (7) can be either shuddh (normal or natural, corresponding to the Western major intervals) or komal (flat, corresponding to the Western minor intervals). Ma (4) can only be shuddh (the natural perfect 4th) or tivra (sharp, corresponding to the Western augmented fourth).

The main 12 tones are notated in sargam as follows:

S       r         R          g         G          m          M
sa      komal re  shuddh re  komal ga  shuddh ga  shuddh ma  tivra ma 
perf 1  minor 2   major  2   minor 3   major  3   perfect 4  aug   4
                                                    .
P       d          D           n         N          S
pa      komal dha  shuddh dha  komal ni  shuddh ni  sa
perf 5  minor 6    major   6   minor 7   major  7   perf 8

Raga Example

As an introduction to the raga concept for Western improvisors, we will examine Rag Alhaiya Bilawal, the raga that Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort's popular composition "Dawn of Love" is based on.

Rag Alhaiya Bilawal

Time: late morning (9 am-noon)
Moods: sringar (joy and love), karuna (pathos, compassion, sadness)
Vadi (king note): Dha (major 6)
Samvadi (prime minister note): Ga (major 3)

Vadi-Samvadi (king and prime minister notes, listen via MIDI):

Pakar (heart phrase, listen via MIDI):

Arohi-Avarohi (ascending and descending, listen via MIDI):

Alhaiya Bilawal is the most commonly known raga of the Bilawal group of ragas, which are based on the same intervals found in the major scale. Bilawal is portrayed in ragamala paintings as a lady waiting in anticipation for her lover to arrive.

Ma, the perfect fourth, is normally omitted in ascent except for when it is used in an oblique manner. Komal ni, the minor seventh, is only used in descent in an oblique manner, as shown in the avarohi for the raga, where it appears sandwiched between two major sixths (dha).

Asthai and Antara

Written late one morning after practicing Alhaiya Bilawal as taught by Ali Akbar Khan, the following melody illustrates the concepts of asthai and antara. The asthai is the primary theme, similar to the refrain in Western music, and is usually performed in the middle register. The antara is the second, higher part of a composition, showing the upper register. This composition stays fairly close to the raga (even using the heart phrase intact), but yet exploits the natural tendencies of the guitar as well. It is an example of how ragas contain compositions just waiting to be discovered.

Dawn of Love (composition showing asthai and antara, listen via MIDI):

Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi Performance of Dawn of Love

Play Video. Play Audio Only.

"Jugalbandi" is a classical North Indian musical duet (literally "tied together"), in this case with the unusual configuration of sitar and guitar accompanied by tabla. This performance of "Dawn of Love" was rendered by the Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi variation of Ancient Future featuring Pandit Habib Khan on sitar, Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar, and Arshad Syed on tabla. It is an example of how the melodic elements of raga can be used in contemporary concert situations where it may not be feasible to explore one raga for an hour or so. The performance does not employ the full traditional unfolding form of Hindustani classical music: alap (the first section in which the notes of the raga are introduced and explored without rhythmic accompaniment), jor (second section included in or succeeding the alap, in rhythm, but without fixed meter), and jhala (the last section played with rapid strokes in a fast rhythm before the tabla enters), followed by a slow gat (fixed instrumental composition following the alap, jor and jhala, that signals the tabla player to join the performance), a fast gat and jhala (this time with tabla accompaniment). Instead here there is simply an introduction without tabla accompaniment (a loosely defined alap) by each melodic instrument followed by the main melody (gat) and solos with tabla accompaniment. The compositional form used here as closely resembles that of a jazz standard as it does that of Hindustani classical music. Interestingly, in this performance Montfort stays within the notes of the raga in his solo improvisations, while Pandit Habib Khan was moved to briefly explore a blues scale during his solo (from 6:02 to 6:33).

Ancient Future Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi in Concert at Larkspur Cafe Theatre March 31, 2007

Saturday, March 31, 2007, 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30)
Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi
featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar), Pandit Habib Khan (sitar), Arshad Syed (tabla, santur)
Larkspur Cafe Theatre
500 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur, CA, 94939
Adm: $22 adv. Tix: Larkspur Cafe Theatre Box Office, online at larkspurcafetheatre.com or charge by phone at 415-924-6107.
Print poster.

Additional music featuring Pandit Habib Khan and Matthew Montfort

The linked audio below is the song "Socha Socha," which is this ensemble configuration's contribution to the Planet Passion CD.

Socha Socha by Ancient Future. Composed by Khan/Montfort.

Purchase Planet Passion CD (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2001): $17.98 Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.

Further Study

For further study of raga, a good next step is "The Raga Guide: A Survey of 74 Hindustani Ragas" on Nimbus Records, which is basically a raga fake book complete with CDs featuring performance examples. Studying with a master Hindustani musician is also highly recommended.

For an explanation of tala, the recurring time-measure or rhythmic cycle employed in Hindustani music, see World Rhythms Issue 8: North Indian Tala. Play close attention to the 8 beat folk tala, keharwa, that the "Dawn of Love" melody is set in.

A good resource for learning North and South Indian rhythm is the book "Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India." The above rhythms are from the audio guide tracks to this "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort, leader of the popular world fusion music ensemble, Ancient Future. The book takes the student on a musical voyage through the traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. A must-have for all students of world music:

Ancient Traditions -- Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. By Matthew Montfort. Mill Valley: Panoramic Press, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2. Spiral Bound Book, $29.95: Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now. Book/Enhanced 2 Audio CD Set with MIDI Soundfiles:$52.95 (SALE! Normally $74.95): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.

The rhythms are now also available in audio format:

Ancient Rhythms--Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India PLUS Complete 2 CD Set of Audio Guide Tracks . By Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music (2005). Companion 2 Volume Enhanced Audio CD set with MIDI Soundfiles, 27.95 (SALE! Normally $39.95): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now. A complete 2 CD set of audio guide tracks PLUS a CD-ROM presentation of MIDI files based on the book Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities.

This two CD/CD-ROM set of audio tracks and MIDI files helps reinforce the material in the book and insures practicing correctly and in rhythm. Volume I and covers the exercises in the West Africa and Bali chapters of the book. Volume II covers the exercises in the India and Future Possibilities chapters. The General MIDI sound files of the exercises in the book can be used with a web browser for playback, or can be loaded into a MIDI sequencer for greater control. The CD-ROM even includes MIDI maps of West African, Balinese, and Indian percussion sound assignments enable custom re-mapping to your patches and instructions to turn your sequencer into a tabla machine using VSTi plug-ins and included tabla samples.

All compositions, recordings, video, and text in this article are ©, Patent 2007 Ancient Future Music. All rights reservered.