"Krazy for Kartals"

The Krazy for Kartals kit includes a beautiful pair of matching kartal cymbals, a DVD with over an hour of video guidance on how to play them, and a companion book.

Kartals are a rhythm instrument, and in the Indian music tradition, rhythms are taught with "mantras." Each syllable represents a different sound that the instrument can make. These can be simple, like "ti ti ta," in which the "ti" represents a short "closed" sound that the cymbals can make, while "ta" represents a longer "open" ringing sound. They can also be more complex, involving different sounds like "ti ti jha," or "ti-ni ti-ni khit," or longer mantras with more intricate rhythms designed to line up with a tabla or mridanga player's rhythms.

The video lessons on the DVD focus on the basic rhythm mantras used in kirtan. The mantras are explained, proper technique for holding the cymbals is demonstrated, and close-ups show the cymbals in action while singing a kirtan. More advanced rhythm mantras are also introduced, and Daniel is joined by mridanga-playing kirtan wallah Radhanath Das to demonstrate how the kartal patterns can line up with what a drummer is playing.

The companion book contains clear explanations of the seventeen rhythm mantras taught in the DVD, complete with sanskrit playing mantras and precise rhythmic notation in Western music-style rhythm notation. No prior knowledge or experience is required - all the necessary musical concepts are introduced in the DVD and explained clearly in the book.