Tabla Without Borders was conducted in a practice-led research methodology. The research folio contains:

• Two Recorded Albums [The Tabla Project and Blueprint]
• Volume I: Written Component 
• Volume II: Musical Scores

The musical scores are provided in a separate document so the reader may have both the written component and scores accessible at the same time. The written document is intended to be read in conjunction with the reader’s engagement with the recorded music contained within the research folio. 

ABSTRACT
This practice-led research examines the potential for creating new, contemporary repertoire for the tabla in small ensemble settings. The aim of the research is to expand the musical roles, elements, and conventions that are performed on the tabla in the context of contemporary intercultural music. In attempting to broaden the instrument’s lexicon, this research asks the following questions: what role can, and does the tabla play, in contemporary music that does not adhere to the musical conventions for which the current repertoire is devised? Which musical elements and conventions, that are not accounted for in the current repertoire, may be brought to and performed on the tabla in such music? The music investigated in this research complements, adds to, differs from, and expands on the vast musical wealth of traditional tabla music. It further extends the existing repertoire of the tabla into a contemporary setting that employs musical elements from diverse origins. In doing so, a set of new compositions has been created to exemplify the alternative methods applied in developing new music for the tabla. These are documented in recording and notation to demonstrate the practical application of the theoretical musical concepts enunciated in the written component of the research. The creation of this new repertoire is both a response to today’s intercultural musical environment, as it attempts to answer questions regarding the function and role of the instrument in non-traditional settings, and, at the same time, an attempt to forge new musical realities for the tabla outside the traditional framework. The new repertoire aims to provide an alternative performative resource for tabla players engaged in contemporary music as well as an educational resource for tabla performance in Western educational institutions. The written component of this research provides an articulation of the musical components, compositional elements, and performance techniques that have been applied in creating this new repertoire. It contrasts the new musical approaches in this research with the traditional repertoire, and importantly, argues that this new repertoire complements the traditional repertoire. As academic writing in the field of tabla has thus far focused on the traditional aspects of the music and culture surrounding the instrument, the written component of this research fills a gap in the literature on the contemporary performance practices of the instrument. The performance component of the research concludes that a multiple-pitch tabla configuration can contribute significant new musical functionality to the melodic, harmonic and rhythmic components of contemporary intercultural music. 

Tabla Without Borders - Downloads

Volume I: Written Component

Volume II: Scores

Hyperlinks are embedded within the written document to online versions of the recorded music. 
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​Copyright © 2018 Sam Evans. Any reproduction of its contents is NOT permitted without express written permission from the author.