Studio Monastery

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

"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.

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)

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)

Nusrat Monk

A long winding song. Listen to the end mix. And the 'french rap' where the only discernible French is 'Oui! Oui!'

Download audio file (nusratmonk.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)

Original compositions and improvisations

Shyam Monk — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:11:25 +0000

Here is a set of links to original sequenced mp3s and vocal guitar videos.

Reethi — complete composed, arranged, sequenced song based loosely on raga reethi.
More sequenced work
Dark indian lullaby - melodic guitar vocal

Hamsadhwani - improvisation based on raga hamsadhwani
Madhava – guitar vocal impro based on traditional song
Guitar vocal impro based on hamsadhwani raga
Neeratha sama – improvisation, gibberish, rhythm guitar changes

Gibberish :

Effective Oracle
Monk song 01
Jo mera improvisation

Raga hamsadhwani vocal improvisation with rhythm guitar

Shyam Monk — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:23:23 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw9PTsP7OEE

If you would like to know what i was thinking when playing chords in the improvisation above, here is an article : Chords for a small phrase of Raaga Hamsadhwani

Devaanganangal – Njan Gandharvan – Padmarajan – Malayalam songs unplugged

Shyam Monk — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:13:16 +0000

The first two stanzas of the beautiful song. really well made lyrics.
"The star that angels foresook
Became a soft cloud in the evening sky"
- maybe each of us have a part that can relate to those lines and feel one with the relinquished and lonely yet soft and lovable star.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6zUOnRL8UU

unarumi gaanam – moonnam pakkam – malayalam song unplugged – ilayaraja padmarajan

Shyam Monk — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:42:37 +0000

Padmarajan movie – moonnaam pakkam. Touched. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wSufiKu6I4 Related posts: Malayalam songs unplugged oru neramenkilum – malayalam devotional song unplugged – guitar singing aadi vaa kaate – malayalam song unplugged – koodevide – guitar singing Related posts:

Between Hill and Sky – Kodaikanal Bodhizendo – Sequenced (ruru)

Shyam Monk — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:15:15 +0000

Sequenced on a laptop using Nuendo, vst plugins and an electric guitar. Longer version being made…

Right click and save as to download the mp3 – try using it as your ring tone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwyk6yCGvoc

No related posts.

Malayalam songs unplugged

Shyam Monk — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 05:09:32 +0000

Here is a collection of Malayalam songs i have been singing with guitar accompaniment. i have made variations in the melody and used my own ideas of harmonizing at many places in these songs.

Tell me how you like it…

1. Oru Neramenkilum Kaanathe Vayyente Devotional song which was very popular in Kerala. It is one of the most melodious malayalam songs i have ever heard. The tempo of the original song is such that within 5 seconds into listening the song ones starts relaxing and let go and be with the song. T S Radhakrishnan composed this song. Chitra and Yesudas have both sung versions.

2. Jaanaki Jaane – Dhwani Song about Raama, composed by Naushad, written by Yousuf Ali Kecheri, sung by Yesudas. In this song i have used progressions like Bm7 Bm6 E7 | Bm Bb+ A D | I love the meaning of this song too, which basically is a let go and acceptance and prayer.

3. Aadi vaa kaate – Koodevide an amazing melody by Johnson. I keep remembering actor Rahman and actress Suhasini who appear in the video of the song.

4. Thaalam maranna Son mother relation. Another beautiful, sad melody. Actor Asokan is excellent in the video.

5. Suryakireedam – devasuram Composed by M G Radhakrishan, written by Gireesh Puthanchery. Amazing melody, amazing poetry.

6. Unarumi Gaanam – Moonnam pakkam Ilayaraja, venugopal song from movie by Padmarajan. Oh his art!

If you have doubts about the chords used or would like help with finding and playing chords or arranging songs… contact me

oru neramenkilum – malayalam devotional song unplugged – guitar singing

Shyam Monk — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:35:20 +0000

As a child, we heard this song so many times in kerala. The original version is slower calmer … My respect and love to T S Radhakrishnan for composing such a song which without fail reduces blood pressure and puts one back to a place of 'it is alright…'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT4yQ6Vg-ig

aadi vaa kaate – malayalam song unplugged – koodevide – guitar singing

Shyam Monk — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:33:52 +0000

composed by Johnson. such melody. such stories, themes… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuO_PA9ipiY Related posts: Colonial Cousins Unplugged – Krishna Nee – Malayalam Lullaby – Vocal guitar – Indian Singing Niram Kaakum – Indian singing guitar (softer) Jaanaki Jaane – Dhwani – Malayalam movie song Related posts: