Studio Monastery

Ethrayo Janmamay – Malayalam song unplugged

Shyam Monk — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 02:43:32 +0000

Music by Vidyasagar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgZ6oaTBxOc

Poomkatinodum Kilikalodum – Malayalam song unplugged

Shyam Monk — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:32:25 +0000

Chords used in the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjMhdwjJrqg

Aalaapanam Thedum Thaymanam – Malayalam song unplugged

Shyam Monk — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:31:06 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5BwCynt6mo

Mandaara Cheppundo – Dasharadham – Johnson – Vocal Guitar Malayalam Song Unplugged

Shyam Monk — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 11:13:27 +0000

Johnson's gift to us.
Chords played based on C minor scale harmony, with a few exaggerations here and there…
Thanks again to dear J. He did teach us a lot…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Hxs8nX3MA

Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje Aham in the morning – Raga Hamsadhwani +/- Vocal Guitar

Shyam Monk — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 10:38:35 +0000

Harmonized based on the scale of notes Raga Hamsadhwani. Hamsadhwani scale has the notes of the major scale except the 4th and 6th. Other scale notes have been sung, random reharmonizations exist… Sung in C, the C major 9th chord has all the scale notes of the raga.
("Prabhatha kaale" means "In the morning"? This recording was made in the early morning light.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzMH8X0sVDQ

Musicianself for music making articles

Shyam Monk — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 09:50:28 +0000

Just a quick note to remind you that if you are interested in music making articles, sound engineering, indian music and chords, guitar playing etc… please check out www.musicianself.com if you haven't already.

Swaminatha Paripalaya – Carnatic Vocal & Rhythm guitar chords – Raga nattai

Shyam Monk — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 22:17:49 +0000

Take one of Swaminathat paripalaya… Rhythm guitar + Carnatic vocals
Chords used: C C7 Cm Csus4 CM7sus4 Fm Fadded2 Bb Bb7sus4 Am7b5 AbM7 FM7 Eb+ CM7 C#M7 G Gm G7 F7 Gsus4 Eb Am Dm DbM7
Raga: Naattai
Talam: Adi
Composer: Dikshitar
Arohanam: S R3 G3 M1 P D3 N3 S
Avarohanam: S N3 P M1 R3 S (36th mela Chalanattai janya)

Want to know more? Write to me or join me for online classes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iztKApMvGl8

Turkish Ben Seni Raga vakulabharanam and Raga chakravakam – indian singing – chords and rhythm guitar

Shyam Monk — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:11:23 +0000

The first time I listened to Ben Seni Sevduğumi by Kazim Koyuncu was in the movie The Edge of Heaven (Auf der anderen Seite). The song seems to follow the scale notes of Raga Vakulabharanam: S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N2 S'.
Raga Chakravakam (S R1 G3 M1 P D2 N2 S') has just one note different: D2 instead of D1
Here is the beautiful turkish song based on the scale notes of Raga Vakulabharanam mixed with Alaap in Raga Chakravakam, backed by chords and rhythm on the guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gez_CiZq96E

Involved Rhythm Guitar – The Art of Let Go

Shyam Monk — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 03:17:02 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0E9552010DE6D21

Life behind the guitar is fun when you sing, finger the chords with your left hand and play an involved rhythm with the right.

One feels the left hand do its job on its own, the right hand playing what is suggested, the mind counting the rhythm and the brain letting the melody and words out.

Let go… being in the centre while the movement goes on …

Go to individual song page, see the related songs at the bottom for more…

Original compositions – fully arranged, sequenced, multi – instrumental songs

Shyam Monk — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:45:22 +0000

Original compositions – Vocal Guitar

"I have been having trouble sleeping for many years and your music is so relaxing, it helped me a great deal yesterday to truly relax and I had a good night sleep for once so I guess it's all thanks to you and your music. I hope it's not offending you ;P It's a miracle actually!;) "
Ludivine sent me the above message. If people were to sleep off while someone was performing, giving a speech etc, usually it can be taken offensive. But in the case of my music, it just meets its deepest intended goals.

Do you think I should make more of these kind of songs? Which did you like the best? Write to me now. I am listening.

Click on the following links to go to the individual song page.

Let me keep a donate button here. If you feel like… amount doesn't matter.

The audio quality and recording discipline are not too good in the following mp3s, because they were meant as demos to be circulated, in the beginning. A polished demo is not a well recommended concept for very good reasons. Lyrics? None exist…

Music made with minimal equipment on a laptop.

Flute Bach

A very short 30 second piece of music. Flute melody, then flute + strings arrangement. All done on the laptop. I feel alright when I listen to this melody.

Download audio file (flutebach01.mp3)

Between HIll and Sky

Another short piece. Carnatic style guitar, harmony plays…

Download audio file (betweenhillandsky.mp3)

Abhogi

A short piece based on Raga Abhogi. Strings, flutish synth lead, drums, bass. An introduction to something longer …

Download audio file (abhogi30sec.mp3)

Helsinki

A part of my world…

Download audio file (helsinki.mp3)

Nusrat Monk

A long winding song. Oboe, flute, strings. (expansion on flute bach) Listen to the end mix. And the 'french rap (!)' where the only discernible French is 'Oui! Oui!'

Download audio file (nusratmonk.mp3)

Indo Norwegian Wood

If the beatles were from India, especially South India, maybe their song Norwegian wood would have sounded like this. Indian percussion instrument (Tavil) and John Lennon.

Download audio file (norwegiankooth.mp3)

Ma Ismak Haifa

Arabic influenced. Percussion, tavil, melody hook. Silliness. The interlude has the guitar playing whole tone scale which was a good thought.

Download audio file (maismak.mp3)

A chant to raama maara

Faster song, arrangement.

Download audio file (achanttoraama.mp3)

Gulfishious monk – a remix of Rahman's Ada song

I have the changed the original song quite a bit. Cutting the original vocals into metre of 6/8 in places (original is 4/4)

Download audio file (gulfishiousmonk.mp3)

Be my tumbler

Mad, dark parts of my world…

Download audio file (bemytumblertrim.mp3)