INDIAN MUSIC FORUM ARCHIVES: Sitar Forum: Instructor in DFW area

Those of you who know about my health (or lack thereof), do you think he would work out for me, or perhaps he's too much a task-master?

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Jeff (Aug 18, 2003 06:14 p.m.):
Hey Bill,
Just go for it, you'll never know until you try 'em out.
Did you get the Srishti yet?

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Billy with a Y :-)

(I might mention that "Bill" is a deminitive of "William". Sometimes "Billy" is too. However, my given name isn't William, it's Billy. Its a family name with a history. So I prefer to go by my given name. Nothing Earth-shattering if someone doesn't understand that, its just the way I like it.)

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Billy (Aug 18, 2003 08:10 p.m.):
Its a family name with a history.

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The Kid?

I get a similar reaction from when I try to get a Driver's License, Passport, etc. . My name is Dan, just Dan, not Daniel. Whenever someone asks for my full name, I tell them and they say, you mean Daniel, don't you? Then the birth cert. comes out, I have to explain that my Dad liked the name Dan but not Daniel. . . .happens all the time.

Dan

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Danimal (Aug 19, 2003 08:14 a.m.):
I get a similar reaction from when I try to get a Driver's License, Passport, etc. . My name is Dan, just Dan, not Daniel. Dan

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I know Vatsal personally - very superficially. A nice guy. I have not had the opportunity to hear him. I know he teaches a handful of students. He is partial to the Imdadkhani school and is currently a follower of Buddhaditya Mukherjee.

There is also a showcase of non-professionals that his org ICMC/DFW is organizing in Sept. You may get to hear a student of his. .or him.

A person by the name of Curtis (from DFW) is going to visit Indrajit in College Station the 1st weekend in Sept. You may also consider that.

A

Thanks for writing. Actually, I was thinkingof you when I left the message, I figured you would know who Vatsal was.

Interestingly, I don't know if he knows me, but I pretty much know who he is. He used to work where I work (at the time, Sabre), and some of the people I work with worked with him. I don't recall if we ever worked directly. I talked with one friend here who knows him and recommends him highly.

I am a bit leary of attempting one of those weekend "crash- courses", though I imagine it would be a great start for anyone, especially studying under someone like Injirit, who I've heard a lot about. With a recent heart-attack on top of my previous physical problems, I just don't know if I should attempt anything like this.

Only a few years ago, I would have jumped at the opportunity, and in fact, have taken such courses in other endeavors. I learned Mountain Dulcimer at a five day, six hours-a-day folk camp (of course the dulcimer is a much simpler and easier instrument.)

These days, my young age is catching up with me, and I need to take things a bit slower.

I'm aware of the upcoming concerts at the ICMC, and hope to fit them in. Those, along with the the upcoming Ravi/Anoushka concert should make for an entertaining and educational Fall. I'll try to get to as much as I can.

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Amitava (Aug 19, 2003 10:06 a.m.):He is partial to the Imdadkhani school and is currently a follower of Buddhaditya Mukherjee.

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I got a CD in the mail that I bought off of eBay, it was a "various artists" type of CD called "Sitar After Sundown". It had Buddhaditya Mukherjee playing "Bahar/Gat Vilambit/Gat Drut (Teen Taal)". As far as I know, this was the first time I've heard him playing; my sweet Lord it was good! It was quite different, very dynamic, a style that I'm not sure I've heard before. If Vatsal is a "follower" of Mukherjee, I truly hope I can study with him.

We've already corresponded, and he wants me to come over to his place just to discuss lessons, but I'm really wanting to get my left fingers in condition first. I don't want to start lessons until I can practice long enough daily. His lessons aren't cheap, or at least, its a lot of money to me, and I want to get my money's worth. So I'm working on the sitar daily, just playing up and down the neck, doing meends, with one and two fingers, just really pushing getting calluses. Meanwhile I'm shuffling things around so that hopefully I can fit lessons in my budget. So between my fingers and money, it may take me a while until I can start lessons, but it will be fantastic if it does work out!!!

Meanwhile, I'm going to find some CD's from Mukherjee!!

I had a heart attack not that long ago myself. Kicks the wind out of you, but don't let it mess up your life. I was told to get off my butt, or I would end up staying on it. So I got up, and got back into my first love which was sitar. My back is also bad, but I can sit in position for at least an hour. Maybe for folks like us, that is sufficient. Don't miss a good opportunity when it presents itself. I have missed far too many in my life, and I regret each and every one of them as they will never be back!

So, just a few words of encouragement. If you have a good local teacher, go for it if you can. I'm not so lucky. Indrajit's lessons is a once a year opportunity for me, and a two day drive from here. But I'm heading out for College Station this weekend anyway.

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Russ (Sep 03, 2003 12:32 p.m.):
So, just a few words of encouragement. .

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I appreciate it. I already had other health problems even before the heart attack, and ample opportunity to just throw up my hands and wither away. But I've taken quite the opposite approach. I am always seeking new things to do, even when they seem difficult or impossible. I may have to do them differently to accomodate my physical problems, but I plow right in. And if I fail, I shrug my shoulders and move on to something else.

I already realize how hard it will be to learn the sitar, especially since I have problems with pain. But so far, I'm hanging in there. Right now I'm only spending about 30 minutes a day just do scales and meends up and down the neck, trying to build up calluses and tolerance, as well as strength in my fingers. I think I'm doing quite well! It hurts like heck, but I'm getting there!

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K.K. (Sep 03, 2003 06:10 p.m.):
One thing to consider though is that you are most likely developing some "not-so-good" technique at the same time. There�s no way of knowing this until you get with a qualified teacher.

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I agree, that's a very good point! Thanks for the advice. I honestly don't know if I'll be able to swing it or not, but if I can, I will!

A