Kaiso Koncepts - A study of the rhythmic vocabulary of calypso music for small ensemble

Welcome to kaiso koncepts.com

Learn to play calypso music, study calypso rhythms and phrasing, lessons in calypso syncopation and appreciation.

If you're reading this it's because you're interested in keeping kaiso music alive. I am too. Toward this end I have written a book titled

Kaiso Koncepts - A Modern Approach to Playing Calypso music

It is now available on-line at a cost of $25.00 USD / $150.00 TTD plus shipping costs.

You may order by sending me an e-mail at ashanti@tstt.net.tt with your contact info and your quantity.

E-mail me at ashanti@tstt.net.tt with any questions, feedback, inquiries about kaiso workshops, future publications, or distribution. Thanks.

Many books have been written about Calypso music.While most have focused on personalities, history, development as well as its social, cultural and political implications on modern society, I am yet to come across any published literature concerning the musical composition of calypso and how it ought to be played. There seems to be a void in this regard.

With this book, I endeavor to begin the process of filling that void by providing an approach to exploring all the musical elements that encompass the language of Calypso. While my primary focus is rhythm, elements of harmony and melody are also explored.

The goal is to provide a methodical system for educational purposes, and to record this information for the benefit of future generations.

What can I learn from this book?

To improvise in a kaiso style using simple rhythmic and melodic techniques.

To create effective bass lines using a combination of melodic exercises and our bass rhythm chart.

Exercises for increasing awareness and understanding of drum syncopation as it relates to calypso music, while providing an endless source of new and innovative grooves.

Accompaniment basics for ployphonic instruments including keyboards, guitar and steelpan.

Basic techniques for re-harmonization and substitution and lots more.

Who is this book for?

Young arrangers, composers and performers who are interested in increasing their knowledge about the building blocks of calypso and soca music.

Intermediate musicians who already have a grasp of harmony, are tecnically proficient on their instrument and are interested in exploring our indigenous music.

Professional musicians looking for a structured method for teaching the basics of calypso music.

Over 120 pages of information and exercises.

Table of Contents

Section One - Kaiso Fundamentals

Listening Recommendations

Reading and Writing Kaiso Music

Notation for Reading in 2/2

Understanding Syncopation

Syncopation Exercise

Section Two - Rhythm

Kaiso Patterns for Drum Kit

Basic Snare Patterns

Advanced Snare Practice

Phrase Chart for Snare

Basic Patterns for Congas

Combination Conga Patterns

Cowbells and Iron Patterns

Section Three - Bass-ment Party

Kaiso Patterns for Bass

Advanced Koncepts for Kaiso Bass

Advanced Bass Exercises

Section Four - Kaiso Kompin'

Kaiso for Khordal Instruments

Kaiso Accompaniment Rhythms

Two handed Rhythms for Keyboards

Section Five - Harmony

Basics of Reharmonization/Substitution

Section Six - Melody

Creating Kaiso Lines for Composition and Improvisation

Importance of Phrasing

Kaiso Recognition Exercises

Use of Chromatic Approach Notes

Chromatic and Delayed usage in Minor Progressions

Approach to Improvising

Articulation and Interpretation

Snare Drum Exercises 1/2/3

About the Author

Michael Low Chew Tung, better known as Ming by his peers, is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger.

He is a graduate of The Recording Workshop in Ohio, and has studied with renowned musician Jeff Berlin at the Players School of Music in Florida.

A twenty-year veteran of the Trinidad and Tobago music industry, he began playing professionally in the mid-eighties as a keyboardist with The Majors. He quickly graduated to Traffik in the early nineties, and spent the rest of the decade as a member of Charlie’s Roots. It was during that time that he had the privilege to work alongside legendary calypso and steel-band arranger Pelham Goddard.

He has toured extensively, throughout the Caribbean, North and South America and Europe, and has performed at all the major North American and Caribbean Carnivals, playing behind calypso's leading performers.

A private music educator for a number of years, he now turns his attention outward to reveal his knowledge of calypso music, founded on years of experience as a musician, arranger and producer in the calypso and soca arena.

This foray into music education literature is a natural evolution for this driven musician, and shows his concern for the survival and advancement of this music for generations to come.


	Welcome to kaiso koncepts.com Learn to play calypso music, study calypso rhythms and phrasing, lessons in calypso syncopation and appreciation. If you're reading this it's because you're interested in keeping kaiso music alive. I am too. Toward this end I have written a book titled Kaiso Koncepts - A Modern Approach to Playing Calypso music It is now available on-line at a cost of $25.00 USD / $150.00 TTD plus shipping costs. You may order by sending me an e-mail at ashanti@tstt.net.tt with your contact info and your quantity. E-mail me at ashanti@tstt.net.tt with any questions, feedback, inquiries about kaiso workshops, future publications, or distribution. Thanks. Introduction \| What can I learn? \| Who is this book for? \| Contents \| About the Author \| elan parle Introduction Many books have been written about Calypso music.While most have focused on personalities, history, development as well as its social, cultural and political implications on modern society, I am yet to come across any published literature concerning the musical composition of calypso and how it ought to be played. There seems to be a void in this regard. With this book, I endeavor to begin the process of filling that void by providing an approach to exploring all the musical elements that encompass the language of Calypso. While my primary focus is rhythm, elements of harmony and melody are also explored. The goal is to provide a methodical system for educational purposes, and to record this information for the benefit of future generations. What can I learn from this book? To improvise in a kaiso style using simple rhythmic and melodic techniques. To create effective bass lines using a combination of melodic exercises and our bass rhythm chart. Exercises for increasing awareness and understanding of drum syncopation as it relates to calypso music, while providing an endless source of new and innovative grooves. Accompaniment basics for ployphonic instruments including keyboards, guitar and steelpan. Basic techniques for re-harmonization and substitution and lots more. Who is this book for? Young arrangers, composers and performers who are interested in increasing their knowledge about the building blocks of calypso and soca music. Intermediate musicians who already have a grasp of harmony, are tecnically proficient on their instrument and are interested in exploring our indigenous music. Professional musicians looking for a structured method for teaching the basics of calypso music. Over 120 pages of information and exercises. Table of Contents Section One - Kaiso Fundamentals What is Kaiso? Listening Recommendations Reading and Writing Kaiso Music Notation for Reading in 2/2 Essence of Kaiso Understanding Syncopation Syncopation Exercise Rhythm Guide Section Two - Rhythm Kaiso Patterns for Drum Kit Hi-hats Kick Drum Snare Basic Snare Patterns Advanced Snare Practice Phrase Chart for Snare Floor Tom Percussion Patterns Basic Patterns for Congas Combination Conga Patterns Cowbells and Iron Patterns Section Three - Bass-ment Party Kaiso Patterns for Bass Rhythmic Bass Chart Advanced Koncepts for Kaiso Bass Advanced Bass Exercises Section Four - Kaiso Kompin' Kaiso for Khordal Instruments Kaiso Accompaniment Rhythms Two handed Rhythms for Keyboards Rhythm Guitar Section Five - Harmony Kaiso Progressions F Jam Minor Progressions Basics of Reharmonization/Substitution Cliche Lines Section Six - Melody Creating Kaiso Lines for Composition and Improvisation Choice of Notes Importance of Phrasing Kaiso Recognition Exercises Key Kaiso Phrases Use of Chromatic Approach Notes Delayed Resolution Chromatic and Delayed usage in Minor Progressions Use of Triplets Approach to Improvising Articulation and Interpretation Final Thoughts Section Seven Snare Drum Exercises 1/2/3 (c) 2007 Michael Low Chew Tung. About the Author Michael Low Chew Tung, better known as Ming by his peers, is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger. He is a graduate of The Recording Workshop in Ohio, and has studied with renowned musician Jeff Berlin at the Players School of Music in Florida. A twenty-year veteran of the Trinidad and Tobago music industry, he began playing professionally in the mid-eighties as a keyboardist with The Majors. He quickly graduated to Traffik in the early nineties, and spent the rest of the decade as a member of Charlie’s Roots. It was during that time that he had the privilege to work alongside legendary calypso and steel-band arranger Pelham Goddard. He has toured extensively, throughout the Caribbean, North and South America and Europe, and has performed at all the major North American and Caribbean Carnivals, playing behind calypso's leading performers. A private music educator for a number of years, he now turns his attention outward to reveal his knowledge of calypso music, founded on years of experience as a musician, arranger and producer in the calypso and soca arena. This foray into music education literature is a natural evolution for this driven musician, and shows his concern for the survival and advancement of this music for generations to come.