I have found a teacher in Westlake Ohio - about 300 miles from where I live. Her name is Hasu Patel a disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan Saheb. Does anyone know anything about her. According to her bio she plays in the Gayaki Ang style - I am trying to work out the logistics and would appreciate any advice anyone could give me.
RG,
I've heard a lot of nice comments about her from musicians in India and other friends. . I believe also someone who frequents the board studies with her but I forgot who it was. . .
Gayaki Ang means 'vocal style' which is a term used by that particular school of playing although it's certainly not an exclusive thing. . They often use the Vilayat Khan style sitar with simple decorations and no top tumba (gourd). Also the tendency is to have the jawari closed. .
Listen to artists like Vilayat Khan, Shahid Parvez, Shujaat Khan, Budaditya Mukerjee, etc. to get an idea of the style. . .if that is the style you would like to learn I think she would be a very good choice. Have fun!
Lars
Hey Lars,
the pic on her web site shows her playing the double tomba sitar! I was very surprised.
http://www.rhythmsoftheglobe.com/gr/mu_ar_HasuPatel.htm
Good for her.
Pb
Lars (Jan 09, 2004 08:58 p.m.):
RG,
I've heard a lot of nice comments about her from musicians in India and other friends. . I believe also someone who frequents the board studies with her but I forgot who it was. . .
Gayaki Ang means 'vocal style' which is a term used by that particular school of playing although it's certainly not an exclusive thing. . They often use the Vilayat Khan style sitar with simple decorations and no top tumba (gourd). Also the tendency is to have the jawari closed. .
Listen to artists like Vilayat Khan, Shahid Parvez, Shujaat Khan, Budaditya Mukerjee, etc. to get an idea of the style. . .if that is the style you would like to learn I think she would be a very good choice. Have fun!
Lars (Jan 09, 2004 08:58 p.m.):
RG,
I've heard a lot of nice comments about her from musicians in India and other friends. . I believe also someone who frequents the board studies with her but I forgot who it was. . .
Gayaki Ang means 'vocal style' which is a term used by that particular school of playing although it's certainly not an exclusive thing. . They often use the Vilayat Khan style sitar with simple decorations and no top tumba (gourd). Also the tendency is to have the jawari closed. .
Listen to artists like Vilayat Khan, Shahid Parvez, Shujaat Khan, Budaditya Mukerjee, etc. to get an idea of the style. . .if that is the style you would like to learn I think she would be a very good choice. Have fun!
Thanks for the help again Lars,
few more questions - I got your e-mail and have not forgotten it - I met a guy from Lousiville who is moving to Deleware - he will be coming over to my place sometime monday or tuesday - and has said he would take a look at my sitar. If it is still not fixed after he leaves I will be sending to you or going to a store in Cincinatti, OH -
I wanted to thank you again - you have always been helpful with me - thanks
Rob
Hi Rob, you're quite welcome. . .good luck with all of it, everything will come together!
Is that Stephen that's coming over? He should be able to help you. . .
Lars
Hey Lars,
the pic on her web site shows her playing the double tomba sitar! I was very surprised.
http://www.rhythmsoftheglobe.com/gr/mu_ar_HasuPatel.htm
I was in touch with Hasu-ji a few weeks ago and asked her about the sitar in the photo. It was a gift from her original teacher in Baroda. The maker and her first teacher I believe are both now disceased. Since being accepted by Vilayat Khan as a shishya, she always plays a VK style sitar in concert to honor Khan Sahib, as her current Guru.
Cheers
K
I have taken several lessons from Hasu-ji. It's a four-hour drive from where I live, but I have found it very worthwhile and I will continue to study with her. I saw her play a concert last fall and was very impressed.
Good luck for your lessons - it is very important to take regular lessons. If a long drive is going to stop you from going once a week then take some lessons over phone.
Some day I want to try using webcam to take lesson. For that you need to have a tech savy teacher as well. Has any one tried it? Does it work?
I've tried to talk my teacher into internet-teaching, but she thinks it's too much work. I thought of maybe a website where people could get info on the lessons and how to contact her. I offered to record the lessons and set up a way to send the lessons to students after they 've paid (with Paypal). Her main point was she couldn't hear the students; wether they learn the pieces correct and understood the background/theory. She's got a new webadress btw:
http://www.school-of-indian-arts.tk/
Not for interner lessons though :-)
Because of the distance I travel to Amsterdam every other week (and sometimes take a longer lesson}, but I agree regular lessons are vital. It's surprising how difficult it is relearn somthing when learned a piece wrong.
