Joel Veena - Improvisation in Raag Bhairavi

from Guitar Improv Summit Vol. 2 by Right Brain Records

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about

Joel Veena took an unconventional route to becoming an international world music performer. Growing up in the U.S., he played guitar in reggae bands and experimented with electronic music. A chance discovery of the Indian slide guitar in a visit to India more than a decade ago turned into a life-changing event for Joel. He immediately dedicated himself to the instrument, studying under – and eventually performing alongside – some of the most renowned names in Indian classical music. Now Joel’s performance and lecture tours take him across India, the USA and Europe promoting Indian classical music. He splits time between Mumbai and Vermont.

His contribution to the Guitar Improv Summit is an improvisation in raga Mishra Bhairavi. A raga is a musical form unique to Indian classical music and is improvisational in nature, each performance being a singular exploration of the musical personality of the raga in question. Raga Bhairavi utilizes a scale similar to the Phrygian mode (in the key of C: C Db Eb F G Ab Bb C) and the designation 'mishra' indicates a 'mixed' scale; where 'accidental' notes from outside the scale are introduced to enhance the beauty and effect. This is a solo on the 20-string Indian slide guitar, built and designed by Bhaba Sindhu Biswas and his company Concord of Kolkata. The instrument is played flat on the lap with finger picks and a steel bar as a slide. There are 4 main playing strings, 4 drone strings plucked occasionally with the thumb and 12 sympathetic resonating strings.

JoelVeena.com

joelveena.bandcamp.com

Learn more about Bhaba Sindhu Biswas: photostoriesandbeyond.wordpress.com/2017/04/12/bhabasindhu-biswas-guitar-maker/

What is Indian slide guitar?:
joelveena.com/what-is-indian-slide-guitar

credits

from Guitar Improv Summit Vol. 2, released May 7, 2021
Joel 'Veena' Eisenkramer - Indian slide guitar

Recorded and mixed by Joel Veena

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Right Brain Records Seattle, Washington

Right Brain Records is a nonprofit label that promotes exploration of uncharted musical territories. Here you'll find our compilation albums with multiple artists. See our website for details on artists and many other releases.

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