Vocal Explorations: Carnatic Roots & Jazz Fusion
Welcome to my musical playground. I spend hours here, weaving the intricate melodies of Carnatic music into the improvisational world of jazz and global sounds. It is all about finding new voices within the tradition I grew up with.
I've been wanting to transcribe the horn lines from Snarky Puppy's 'Lingus' into Indian notation. This is me trying my best to sing those exciting phrases using sargam.
This is from 2017, when I first tried singing John Coltrane's solo on 'Giant Steps'. This single exercise changed me as a student of music and opened up a new universe of possibilities for my voice.
I couldn't resist singing along to 'Katerina' from the beautiful duo record by my brothers Michael League and Bill Laurance. Their music is pure soul food.
Singing a few lines from my song 'Search' while surrounded by nature. The Kannada lyrics speak of finding a new vision, a new rhythm, and a new song within the journey of searching.
A clip from a podcast where I discuss the meaning of 'sadhane' or achievement. For me, it's not about success, but about the daily practice and keeping the love for your path alive every single day.
About Vocal Explorations
My vocal practice is rarely about rigid perfection. Whether I am transcribing a complex horn line from a Snarky Puppy tune into sargam or experimenting with vocal percussion, I am constantly looking for the space where Indian swaras and Western harmony meet. These snippets are raw experiments. If you are curious about how to stretch your own vocal boundaries, these exercises are the starting point for the improvisational techniques I share in my masterclasses and 1-on-1 mentorship sessions.
Bridging Carnatic and Global Sounds
For me, music is a conversation that never ends. When I sit down to transcribe a jazz solo or a horn section into Indian notation, I am not just learning notes. I am trying to understand the 'why' behind the sound. My process involves breaking down complex rhythmic structures, which we often call Konnakol in Carnatic music, and finding how they sit alongside Western chord changes.
Why Practice This Way?
Many students ask me if learning fusion makes you forget the basics. It is quite the opposite. When you apply your Carnatic training to a different genre, you understand your own roots much deeper. It forces you to look at:
- Gamaka Application: How to use micro-tones in non-Indian scales.
- Rhythmic Independence: Playing with odd-meter calculations and polyrhythms.
- Voice Modulation: Developing the strength to handle rapid-fire jazz phrases while maintaining the clarity of traditional swaras.
How We Can Work Together
If you have been watching these videos and wondering how to bring this approach to your own singing, I offer a few ways to collaborate:
- Interactive Masterclasses: We focus on circle songs and group improvisation. It is a 'jaathre' of voices, and you do not need to be a pro to join in.
- 1-on-1 Mentorship: These are for serious students wanting a deep dive into vocal techniques, polyrhythms, or specific studio preparation.
- Gokulam Academy: For those looking for the traditional foundation of weekly vocal or flute training.
My door is always open to curious souls who want to explore. Let us find your new rhythm together.
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