27 Mar In conversation with David Claman
The Music forum at Global Music Institute is an open session that allows our students as well as other visiting members in the audience, to interact with the professionals engaged with different aspects of music. Crossing geographical barriers, we host a variety of workshops every semester allowing students to gain insights and nuances from the real world of music.
We had been in touch with David since last year when he was in Delhi on fellowship. We finally managed to have him over at our campus earlier this year in January 2020. David Claman is a composer and music professor at Lehman College-City University of New York, where he teaches music theory, orchestration, and music technology. He studied vina in South India for four years and played electric bass in rock bands for over ten years before earning a PhD in music composition from Princeton University. His music is recorded on the Bridge, Albany, and Innova labels. In 2018-19 he was a Fulbright Scholar and visiting professor of Western music at Delhi University. He is currently working on fusion projects with Hindustani and Carnatic musicians in Delhi and Chennai.
At GMI, David took an intriguing session on “Where Did Rock Music Come From”. Rock and Roll burst upon the music scene in the United States in the mid-1950s with stars like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and others. But did this revolutionary music really begin at that time? In the presentation, he shared a variety of styles of American music from the first half of the twentieth century which gave rise to rock, including hillbilly, twelve-bar blues, country & western, gospel, rhythm and blues, and early rock and roll. David further explained lyrical, rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and formal musical structures alongwith discussing music’s regional and sociological origins and technological aspects. To make things interesting and relatable, he used recordings and videos of The Carter Family, Jimmie Rogers, Louis Jordan, Ike Turner and Jackie Brentson, Ruth Brown, Albert King, and others.
How many years have you been working in this industry?
30
Describe your music journey to us?
Sang in choirs and had piano lessons as a kid. Studied Carnatic and experimental music in college. Played in rock bands after college. Got an MA and PhD in composition. Became a music professor. Still composing, playing and teaching.
What’s your favourite music genre? Why?
Honestly, I like variety. Western Classical, Carnatic, Hindustani, Punk, Classic Rock
What did you discuss at GMI Wednesday Forum?
Gave a master class on the evolution of Rock from earlier styles
How has the interaction with the students at GMI been for you?
It was absolutely wonderful engaging with the young musical minds at GMI. Wish we had had more time for me to get to know them better.
What do you think about GMI?
Great program. I love what you are doing and know it is not easy to do.
Where do you discover your music?
Spotify and Youtube
Music for you is…
My life, my job, my enjoyment.
What is on your playlist currently?
Bach; Rolling Stones.
Name your favourite artist/band?
Hendrix
One thing every music student needs to do to hone their skills?
Every aspect of music is important to becoming a musician, not just your instrument.
One word on GMI?
Great
One word about India?
Always interesting
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