World Rhythm Training Manual
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 (buy direct and save: compare at $42.95 elsewhere): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.
Companion 2 Volume Enhanced Audio CD set with MIDI Soundfiles : 27.95 (SALE! Normally $39.95): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.
For more world music items, check out the catalog.Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities is the "world beat bible" by the leader of the popular world fusion music ensemble, Ancient Future. The book takes the student on a musical voyage through these great ancient rhythmic traditions with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all musicians, useful for both home study and in the classroom.
The author, Matthew Montfort, holds an M.A. in World Music from Antioch University. He has drawn on his years of study with the master musicians of Africa, Bali and India to create this world rhythm training manual.
- A must for all music students, teachers, and professional musicians
- Not just for percussionists
- Develops refined rhythmic skills
- Excellent reference work
- Enables home study of non-Western rhythms, eliminating costly trips around the globe
- Stimulates new ideas for composers
- Enough exercises for years of study
- Perfect textbook for multi-cultural musicianship courses
- Convenient spiral binding
- Table of Contents
- Optional audio tracks on CD and/or MIDI Tracks on CD-ROM available
On-line Exercises
World Rhythm Training links to pages with examples of African, Balinese and Indian rhythm exercises from the book, including MIDI and GIF files. This Table of Contents also includes links to each on-line rhythm exercise.
The Complete Set of Sound Files of the Book Exercises in Three Formats
West African drum music, Balinese gamelan, and Indian tala are oral traditions. These sound files make it possible to add the traditional element of learning by ear to the practice of the exercises from the book. They are available in three formats: a CD-ROM of MIDI files which can be played on any Mac or PC system with a CD-ROM drive, browser, and speaker, and can be used as groove tracks for creative audio productions, on audio CD for playback almost anywhere, and a discounted set featurng both!
MIDI Groove Tracks on CD-ROM
Ancient Rhythms--Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. By Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music (1997). MIDI Soundfile CD-ROM, $17.95 (SALE! Normally $24.95): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.
After many years of work in production, this complete set of General MIDI sound files of the exercises in the book is now available. These files can be used with a web browser for playback, or can be loaded into a MIDI sequencer for greater control. Change the tempo, listen to individual parts, or remap the sounds to different MIDI instruments.Great to play along with for study or for creating unique rhythm tracks of African, Balinese, and Indian rhythms.
- 128 world rhythm MIDI files (hear FREE examples)
- Polyrhythmic grooves such as four against seven
- West African 12/8 and 8/8 grooves
- Balinese rice pounding grooves
- Repertoire from three different Balinese gamelan ensembles
- South Indian mridangam grooves (solkattu compositions)
- North Indian tabla grooves (theka and tihai compositions)
- Great aid for musicians who play by ear
- Play along to check progress
- Works with any web browser (such as Netscape or Internet Explorer)--no need for a MIDI tone module or synthesizer
- Includes links to the best MIDI plug-ins on the Net
- Also compatible with any sequencer that supports Standard MIDI Files
- Set the tempo slow or fast
- Use as rhythm tracks
- Includes MIDI maps of West African drums, Balinese gamelan, South Indian mridangam, and North Indian tabla (make your own tabla machine!) for use with synthesizers, tone modules, samplers, or VSTi plug-ins
- CD-ROM plays on any Mac or PC system with a CD-ROM drive, browser, and speakers.
Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities: Audio Guide Tracks. By Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music (2005). 2 CD Set $21.95 (SALE! Normally $29.95): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.
New for 2005, this two CD set helps reinforce the material in the book and insures practicing correctly and in rhythm. Volume I 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.
- Great aid for musicians who play by ear
- Play along to check progress
- 115 audio tracks
- 102 minutes of exercises on 2 CDs
- Playback on standard CD players
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). Enhanced 2 Volume Audio CD set with MIDI Soundfiles: 27.95 (SALE! Normally $39.95): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.
Why choose? Get both soundfile formats together at a discount! Save even more and buy it as a set with the book.
The Quotes
"You've heard Afro-Pop, sitar, gamelan and world music for years. But do you know what they are and how they work? Better yet, would you like to play those twisted cross-rhythms and melodies? In Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities, Matthew Montfort, a founding member of the world music band Ancient Future, has put together the book for people who want to dig into world music with both hands. The first section of the book covers traditional music of West Africa, Bali and India with theories and exercises. Wherever possible, Montfort has provided beat counts alongside the standard musical notation so even if you can't read music, you can still learn the rhythms.The last section of the book mixes patterns from different cultures, demonstrating the powerful music these simple exercises can generate." -- Richard Kadrey, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE.
"A hands-on exploration of Balinese, African, and Indian rhythms that should appeal to all musicians. One needn't play percussion instruments, or any instruments at all, for that matter, to use and benefit from the book." -- DRUMS AND DRUMMING
"A very practical manual. There is enough material to keep interested musicians busy for years. Montfort has done a great service for western musicians interested in world music. A pleasure to work with." -- OPTION
"Very highly recommended for any instrumentalists hoping to expand their rhythmic horizons. If you've never investigated the beautiful clash of African polyrhythm, the incredible interlocking textures of Balinese music, or the complex metric structure of Indian classical music, check out Ancient Traditions--it will blow your mind and deepen your groove." -- GUITAR PLAYER
"If you're tired of programming your drum machine with the same old 4/4 back-beat, or you want to sharpen your rhythmic chops, this book is highly recommended." -- ELECTRONIC MUSICIAN
"An excellent book for use in percussion technique sessions or other classroom situations. The descriptive material is lucidly written and is aimed at a novice." -- PERCUSSIVE NOTES
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