The Future Isn't What it Used to Be, But the Ancient Future Is at 40th Anniversary

The Future Isn't What it Used to Be, But the Ancient Future Is at 40th Anniversary

Holiday 2018 Issue:
Ancient Future 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday
•2/12/2019, Freight and Salvage, Berkeley. Get Tix Now To Insure Robust Roster!
Holiday Sale
•Recordings, Music Training Materials, Skype Studies, and Private Lesson Gift Certificates
Your Chance to Contribute to the World Fusion Movement
•Make a Tax Deductible Contribution to Ancient Future Through InterMusic SF!
Help Push A.F.A.R. Past the Finish Line
•Fund Finishing New Studio Tracks Now In Production

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Ancient Future 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday

YouTube Video of Ancient Future Circa 1978. Shown: Matthew Montfort, Yusef Ali, Mindia Devi Klein, Phil Fong, Benjy Wertheimer.

2/12/2019, Freight & Salvage, Berkeley. Get Tix Now To Insure Robust Roster!

Ancient Future's first concert took place on February 11, 1979, at the original Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, California, the day before Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort's birthday, who was not yet even drinking age. This concert on his birthday also celebrates 40 years of world fusion music from Ancient Future.
The exact lineup for the show has not yet been announced, but it will include musicians from Ancient Future's long history of cross cultural music collaborations. It will feature top master musicians from around the world along with band members from the original and historic Ancient Future lineups.
Purchase your tickets now to insure that there is a budget for robust roster of musicians, and stay tuned for surprise announcements of featured performers!

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 8 PM
Freight and Salvage
2020 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
Purchase Tix: $20 advance, $24 door, plus $4 per ticket facility fee.
Box Office Phone: 510-644-2020, open 12:30 PM – 7 PM (excluding holidays) and during all performances.
Email: info@freightandsalvage.org
Facebook Event
Press Release

Poster (Please print and post this 246k .pdf)

Likely Coconspirators

Help us bring musicians who perform in Ancient Future's many programs by purchasing advance tickets or making a tax deductible donation to Ancient Future through InterMusic SF. There are two sets, and if we can raise enough money, we'd like to feature two core rhythm sections along with guest artists from the various periods of the band's history. Here are some of the possible coconspirators that could be featured if the show sells out well in advance: Vishal Nagar (Indian tabla, collaborator since 2013), Shenshen Zhang (Chinese pipa, collaborator since 2011), Mariah Parker (santur, collaborator since 2005), Georges Lammam (Arabic violin, collaborator since 1998), Pandit Habib Khan (sitar, collaborator since 1996), Jim Hurley (violin, collaborator since 1988), Doug McKeehan (keys, collaborator since 1985), Ian Dogole (percussion, collaborator since 1985), Mindia Devi Klein (Indian bansuri, silver flute, original member), Benjy Wertheimer (tabla, esraj, original member). The more money that is raised, the more collaborators that can be featured!

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Holiday Sale

Recordings, Music Training Materials, Skype Studies, and Private Lesson Gift Certificates

Purchases at the Ancient-Future.Com World Music Store directly support the artists and the music, and our holiday sale offers bargain prices!

Five for Fifty: Five Releases Just $10 Each

• Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. Signed Audio/Video E-CD-R. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
• Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2010. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
• Sangria by Mariah Parker. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
• Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2008. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
• Sympathetic Serenade by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2012. Signed EP CD-R. List $12.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.

The Ancient-Future.Com Record Store is the only place where all of the Ancient Future band recordings, including out of print major label recordings, are available on CD. The site also features releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records, the band's artist coalition label, and side projects by Ancient Future band members on other labels.

Educational Materials

Ancient Future Music publishes educational materials for use in music classes, music schools, private lessons, and independent study.

Beats Book Brings Bang for the Buck

Sale Celebrates New Audio Guides and Grooves

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India by Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2.

• Comb Bound Book. $46.95 SALE $33.95. Buy 1 Now.
• Book and Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI Files. $74.95 SALE $53.95. Buy 1 Now.
• Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download. New Best Buy! $69.95 SALE $49.95. Buy 1 Now.
• Companion MP3/MIDI Guide Tracks Download Set. New Release! $34.95 SALE 24.95. Buy 1 Now.
• Companion Audio/MIDI Guide Tracks 2 Volume CD/CD-ROM Set. $39.95 SALE $29.95. Buy 1 Now.

This classic "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all music lovers, not just percussionists.
The new downloadable companion set of MP3 audio guide and MIDI groove tracks of the exercises in the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities is set up for playback on Mac and PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. The tracks are also available on a CD/CD-ROM set. The material is presented in two complimentary formats: audio guide tracks and MIDI groove tracks.

Digital Liner Note Discounts

• Yearning for the Wind Digital Liner Notes. 7 page .pdf of liner notes for Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. Features detailed explanations of the musical concepts of raga and tala behind the music. $1.98 list. SALE $1.50. Buy 1 Now.
• Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar Digital Liner Notes. 17 page .pdf of liner notes for Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Explains the inspirations and musical concepts behind each serenade. Sheet music is included for those who want to delve deeper. $2.98 list. SALE $2. Buy 1 Now.
• Sympathetic Serenade Digital Liner Notes. 9 page .pdf of liner notes for Sympathetic Serenade for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Features explanations of musical concepts. $1.98 list. SALE $1.50. Buy 1 Now.
• Planet Passion Digital Liner Notes. 11 page .pdf of liner notes for Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Features comprehensive notes detailing a mythical story of love through the musical traditions of the world. $1.98 list. SALE $1.50. Buy 1 Now.

Skype Studies Sale

Study any of the musical traditions featured on the Ancient Future web site via private Skype lessons with Ancient Future bandleader and guitarist, Matthew Montfort. Recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists, Matthew Montfort teaches all styles of guitar (and other fretted instruments including ukulele, bass, mandolin, charango, and sitar) along with record production, composition, world rhythms, music theory, and repertoire for all instruments.

Skype Lessons

• 60 Minute Lesson. $75. SALE $60. Buy 1 Now. Custom private one hour online lesson.
• 45 Minute Lesson. $65. SALE $48. Buy 1 Now. Custom private 45 minute online lesson.
• 30 Minute Lesson. $50. SALE $36. Buy 1 Now. Custom private 30 minute online lesson.

Gift certificates are available for online lessons worldwide via Skype. The lessons can also be conducted through other webcam chat and conferencing services. And for a limited time, an additional discount is automatically offered on a Skype tutorial with purchase of Matthew Montfort's book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India at Ancient-Future.Com!

In Person Private Music Lesson Series

Matthew Montfort is accepting a limited number of students at his studio in San Rafael, California, and will travel to student's homes in the San Francisco Bay Area. A lesson series makes an excellent gift for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. Gift certificates for private lessons in Marin are available.

• 60 Minute Private Lessons. 4 pack. $300. SALE $252. Buy 1 Now. A set of four one hour private lessons in San Rafael.
• 45 Minute Private Lessons. 4 pack. $260. SALE $212. Buy 1 Now. A set of four 45 minute private lessons in San Rafael.
• 30 Minute Private Lessons. 4 pack. $200. SALE $168. Buy 1 Now. A set of four 30 minute private lessons in San Rafael.

To contact Matthew Montfort about lessons, e-mail him at info@ancient-future.com or call 415-459-1892.

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Your Chance to Contribute to the World Fusion Movement

Make a Tax Deductible Contribution to Ancient Future Through InterMusic SF!

Your tax deductible contribution can help support Ancient Future's local Northern California concert season, provide seed money to bring Ancient Future to perform in your area, or support new compositions and recordings.
In this age of polarization, world fusion music is needed now more than ever. You can help by supporting it financially:

• Make a Tax Deductible Donation. Ancient Future was accepted for fiscal sponsorship with InterMusic SF, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, and now donations made through them on behalf of Ancient Future are 100% tax deductible to the full extent of the law!
• Make a Direct Donation (not tax deductible). This works well for those who are not part of the top 10% of U.S. taxpayers expected to benefit by itemizing deductions under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Help Push A.F.A.R. Past the Finish Line

Fund Finishing New Studio Tracks Now In Production

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, Ancient Future's fan funded recording project, has over 86 minutes of music in it so far. Another set of studio tracks totaling 43 minutes are already in production. The new tracks will represent a 50% expansion of the project!
We have so far raised 20% of our funding goal. This is substantial, but we need to greatly speed up our fundraising to complete the project during our 40th year of world fusion music. We need additional supporters and funds now, so please consider becoming a supporter at one of the levels below, starting at just $15. And if you are already a supporter, you can still upgrade to higher quality downloads until each supporter level is sold out.
Once you become a supporter, you will receive all of the tracks in the archive (and all of the tracks that will be added in the future), and you will be eligible to buy a limited edition CD-R of the Best of A.F.A.R. So Far, which is includes all of the best tracks that will (barely) fit on a CD-R.

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future. (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2030)

• Recording Newsletter. $15 (receive 128 kbps downloads): Subscribe @ $15.
• Download Supporter. $25 (320 kbps downloads): Subscribe @ $25.
• Limited Edition CD Sponsor. $50 (all previous plus CD quality audio): Subscribe @ $50.
• Honorary A & R Representative. $75 (all previous plus video and 24 bit audio): Subscribe @ $75.
• Donor VIP. Make Additional Donation.
• A.F.A.R. So Far CD-R. $20 Additional. SALE $15. Buy CD-R Now.
  

Ancient Futures Hodl Free Concerts

Ancient Future Times: Ancient Futures Hodl Free Concerts
May/June 2018 Issue:
Ancient Futures
•An ICO* for the Ages
First Contributions Roll In
•Ancient Future Now Accepts Tax Deductible Contributions Through InterMusic SF!
Free Ancient Future Duet Concerts
• World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort with Indian Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar
Future Discounts on Ancient Traditions
•Enter MUSICED10 at Checkout for 10% Discount on Music Education Offerings
Ancient Future Summer Tour Stops
•Performances in California and Nevada

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Ancient Futures: An ICO* for the Ages

Ancient Future is issuing its first ICO* to ethereal investors. Like other ICOs, no one should invest in Ancient Futures unless they are at peace with all of their investment disappearing into a space-time vortex. But unlike other ICOs, in that event, Ancient Futures will still produce returns in the realm of musical vibrations.
Contrary to popular opinion, Ancient Futures are not expired futures contracts. They are premiums for supporters of the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings. The mission of A.F.A.R. is to produce an archive of recordings of cross cultural collaborations. The best of these recordings will be selected to be released commercially at a "future" date, at which point they will be on their way to becoming "ancient" recordings, hence the title.
Blockchain technology is not environmentally friendly, so a new premium transfer technology is in the initial stages of development in the Ancient Future. Blockheadchain technology is envisioned to telepathically transfer Ancient Futures in blocks from the heads of holders into an Akashic records database that may utilize clairvoyant A.I. technology, or if the space-time continuum moves backwards, may employ paper or stone. Please note that blockheadchain technology as contemplated is so advanced that it may never be invented.
In any case, participants are encouraged to HODL (Hold Onto for Deep Listening) their Ancient Futures to benefit from music appreciation.
*Initial Creative Offering

Mining Ancient Futures

Mining Ancient Futures is easy and environmentally friendly. You don't need to live in a cool climate or near a hydroelectric dam. All you need to do is to visit Ancient-Future.Com or come to an Ancient Future concert to become an Ancient Futures miner. Ancient Futures can be mined in four different audio resolutions. There are a limited number of Ancient Futures available to be mined, as each resolution is limited by number or time. Once 300 320 kbps mp3, 200 44.1k/16 bit wav, and 100 96k/24 bit wav Ancient Futures have been mined, the archive will be closed to mining. The best of the music produced will then be released commercially, increasing the value of the limited Ancient Futures that have been mined.

1. 128 kbps mp3: Mine @ $15. Limited time offering of Ancient Futures.
2. 320 kbps mp3: Mine @ $25. Limited to 300 Ancient Futures.
3. CD quality 44.1k/16 bit wav: Mine @ $50. Limited to 200 Ancient Futures.
4. Hi-res 96k/24 bit wav plus video: Mine @ $75. Limited to 100 Ancient Futures.

#Cryptourgency #BeAncientFutureReadyNow

Things move quickly through time and space in the crypto realm, so Ancient Future is looking for an Ancient Futures ICO Specialist. Duties include promoting the ICO for the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings and contemplating the implementation of blockheadchain technology for the Akashic records. The position of Anti-Social Media Manager is also open. Duties include advising #HowHashtagsWork and keeping in touch with those who have joined the #DeleteFacebook movement while encouraging cross-cultural pro-social communication on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and other social media sites. Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to email info@ancient-future.com.

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First Contributions Roll In

Ancient Future Now Accepts Tax Deductible Contributions Through InterMusic SF!

As the Ancient Future Times reported in its April 2018 issue, Ancient Future has been accepted for fiscal sponsorship with InterMusic SF, and we are happy to announce that we have now received our first tax deductible contribution!
Your tax deductible contribution can help support Ancient Future's local Northern California concert season, provide seed money to bring Ancient Future to perform in your area, or support new compositions and recordings.
Donate to Ancient Future Through InterMusic SF!

#FundraisingFun

Not having much experience in fundraising, Ancient Future needs help reaching out to potential individual donors and charitable funds. Please share this newsletter with anyone you think might be interested in contributing. Ancient Future is looking for a Director of Solicitations, Begging, and Busking. Duties include raising money for activities, applying for grants, and helping to build a non-profit organization to support world fusion music. Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to email info@ancient-future.com.

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Free Ancient Future Duet Concerts

'Yearning for the Wind' by Ancient Future Ethnocloud Video

World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort with Indian Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar

In their first duet performances together since 2016, world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort and Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar present an innovative and accessible take on Hindustani classical music and contemporary fusion, with expressive and energetic renderings of raga and tala.

• Saturday, May 19, 2018, 2 to 3 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Tabla Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Vishal Nagar (tabla), Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. Free! Info: 707-996-5217 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event. Press Release.
• Sunday, May 20, 1:20 to 1:50 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Tabla Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Vishal Nagar (tabla), Himalayan Fair, Live Oak Park,1300 Shattuck Ave., North Berkeley, CA 94709. Free! Donations for charity accepted. Facebook Event.
  

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Future Discounts on Ancient Traditions

Enter MUSICED10 at Checkout for an Additional 10% Discount on Music Education Materials

Make a difference in your life by learning about the ancient musical traditions of the world. For a very limited time, Ancient-Future.Com is offering an additional 10 percent discount from the already low reduced sale price of all of our music education materials! Just enter the coupon code MUSICED10 at checkout. The coupon expires on June 1.

Ancient Traditions - Future Possibilities

Sale Celebrates New Audio Guides and Grooves for Gizmos

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. By Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2. Comb Bound Book- $46.95
(SALE $33.95): Buy 1 Now. Book and Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI files- $74.95 (SALE $53.95): Buy 1 Now. New Best Buy! Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download- $69.95 (SALE $49.95): Buy 1 Now.
This classic "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all music lovers, not just percussionists.

New Guides and Grooves

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Audio Guide and MIDI Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (AF-0001, 2005.
V 4.0, 2017). New Release! Companion MP3/MIDI Guide Tracks Download Set- $34.95 (SALE 24.95): Buy 1 Now. Companion Audio/MIDI Guide Tracks 2 Volume CD/CD-ROM Set- $39.95 (SALE $29.95): Buy 1 Now.
This new downloadable companion set of MP3 audio guide and MIDI groove tracks of the exercises in the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities is set up for playback on Mac and PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. The tracks are also available on a CD/CD-ROM set. The material is presented in two complimentary formats: audio guide tracks and MIDI groove tracks.

Audio Guide Tracks

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: MP3 Audio Guide Tracks. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (2005). New Release! Companion MP3 Audio Guide Tracks Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95): Buy 1 Now.
A set of 115 audio guide tracks of the exercises in Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities that enable learning by ear.

MIDI Groove Tracks

Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. Version 4.0. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (1997. V. 4.0 2017). New Release! MIDI File Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95): Buy 1 Now.
A complete set of 128 MIDI tracks that playback in Standard MIDI File compatible web browsers. For greater control or for use as rhythm tracks in audio productions, load them into a MIDI sequencer app (Mac, PC, iOS, Android, etc.) to loop tracks, change the tempo, or listen to individual parts. The files come arranged for General MIDI percussion and can be remapped to other instruments using the included MIDI maps.

Educational Digital Liner Notes

Educational Digital Liner Notes. 17 page .pdf of liner notes for Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Explains the inspirations and musical concepts behind each serenade. Sheet music is included for those who want to delve deeper. $2.98 (SALE $2): Buy 1 Now.

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Ancient Future Summer Tour Stops

Performances in California and Nevada

• Sunday, August 4, 8:30 PM, Ancient Future Arabic Dance Ensemble, Benefit Concert for UCO Lick Observatory, Main Building Hall, Mount Hamilton, CA 95140. Adm: $45 general seating, $90 preferred, $199 VIP. Tickets at www.ucolick.org/summer.
  
• Saturday, September 8, 2 PM, Ancient Future Indo Arabic Trio featuring Matthew Montfort, Georges Lammam, and Vishal Nagar, Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Dr., Las Vegas NV 89121. Adm: $12 advance, $15 day of show. Purchase Tix. Info: Call (702) 455-7340. Facebook.

#AncientFutureNearYou

Does it seem like Ancient Future never performs in your area? If so, you can help change that by making a donation to cover some of the travel expenses, or volunteering to become a local Concert Circuit Creator. Duties include developing a circuit of world fusion friendly presenters and booking concerts. Anyone interested in stepping forward is encouraged to email info@ancient-future.com.

Ancient Future Times: Building Ancient Future's Future

April 2018 Issue:
Building Ancient Future's Future
•Path to Progress for World Fusion Music Seen Ahead
Ancient Future Duet at Watermelon Music in Davis
•World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort with Uzbek Percussion Ambassador Abbos Kosimov
Free Sonoma Library Concert Series Finale
• Matthew Montfort with Indian Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar
A Future for Music Education
•Ancient Traditions Hold the Key

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Building Ancient Future's Future

Photo by Michael Braden of Bui Huu Nhut Recording A.F.A.R.

Path to Progress for World Fusion Music Seen Ahead

The previous issue of the Ancient Future Times reported on the challenges facing music in the digital age and Matthew Montfort's efforts with the Content Creators Coalition to make positive change to mitigate the tech industry's "creative disruption" of the music business.
We asked for help, and are happy to report that progress is being made!

Ancient Future Signs Fiscal Sponsorship Deal with InterMusic SF!

Ancient Future has been experiencing a shortfall between the income that comes in from concerts and recordings and what is needed to support our mission. Donations can help make up the difference, and we are proud to announce that Ancient Future has been accepted for fiscal sponsorship with InterMusic SF (formerly San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music). InterMusic SF is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, and now donations on behalf of Ancient Future are 100% tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

So, Now You Can Make a Tax Deductible Donation to Subsidize Concerts...

Like the symphony, Ancient Future's world music rehearsals and performances cannot be supported by ticket sales alone. Yet arts funding has been cut drastically, especially in the USA and in California, and the advancement and indeed survival of the art of music is at stake.
Your tax deductible contribution can help support Ancient Future's local Northern California concert season, or provide seed money to bring Ancient Future to perform in your area.
Donate to Ancient Future Through InterMusic SF!

Support the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings...

Uzbek Percussionist Abbos Kosimov Recording A.F.A.R. YouTube Video

In 2017, there were over 1.5 million streams of tracks on Ancient-Future.Com Records. Over 95% of those streams were ad supported, and 89% were on YouTube. Unfortunately, YouTube only paid $0.00006 per stream. Streaming rates were allowed to be set so low partly due to the assertion that free streaming would result in increased sales, but for the year that saw an unprecedented 1.38 million ad supported streams of tracks from Planet Passion, only 233 track downloads from the record were sold.
A music distribution system dominated by ad supported streaming does not support the creation of new recordings, so we have been exploring another way to fund recordings. The concept of the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings (A.F.A.R.) is to involve fans of world fusion music in supporting the production of an archive of live and studio recordings of cross cultural collaborations. The best of these recordings will be selected to be released commercially at a "future" date, at which point they will be on their way to becoming "ancient" recordings, hence the title.
There are already more tracks in the archive than will fit on a CD, and there are three new studio tracks currently in production that will add over 30 more minutes of music to the archive.
There are four supporter thank-you packages available ranging from $15 to $75 offer everything from 128 kbps mp3 downloads all the way up to 96k 24 bit hi-res recordings. Detailed information on the various supporter packages and the benefits included can be found at www.ancient-future.com/afar.html.
And now you can make a tax deductible donation to the project at the Ancient Future donation page on InterMusic SF!

And Volunteer to Create a World Fusion Support Organization!

InterMusic SF also provides workshops and support to help affiliates grow their organizations and apply for grants. The last issue of the Ancient Future Times asked for volunteers to help with fundraising, promotion, and booking tasks. Since then, there have been meetings to discuss creating a team of volunteers and benefactors. Some work has already been done by a wonderful volunteer who helped with updating Ancient Future's concert presenter database.
The following positions are envisioned:

1. Director of Solicitations, Begging, and Busking. Duties include raising money for activities, applying for grants, and helping to build a non-profit organization to support world fusion music.
2. Concert Circuit Creator. Duties include developing a circuit of world fusion friendly presenters and booking concerts.
3. Anti-Social Media Manager. Duties include supporting and keeping in touch with those who have joined the #DeleteFacebook movement while encouraging cross-cultural pro-social communication on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and other social media sites.
4. Traditional Media Archeologist. Duties include searching through the charred remains of the traditional media to locate the whereabouts of current media contacts to maintain a database of world fusion friendly media.

Anyone interested in stepping forward is encouraged to email info@ancient-future.com. The positions could eventually become paid ones once sufficient financial support is generated by a genius Director of Solicitations, Begging, and Busking.

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Ancient Future Duet at Watermelon Music in Davis

World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort with Uzbek Percussion Ambassador Abbos Kosimov

One of the variations of the trailblazing world fusion music ensemble, Ancient Future, this duet features world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort accompanied by Uzbek percussion virtuoso Abbos Kosimov. This improvisatory program focuses on the world music traditions of Central Asia, India, and Europe, renditions of music from Ancient Future's ground breaking world music recordings, and new unreleased works!
Saturday, April 28, 8 PM
Ancient Future Duet
Featuring Matthew Montfort (Scalloped Fretboard Guitar) and Abbos Kosimov (Uzbek Percussion)
Watermelon Music
1970 Lake Blvd., Suite #1
Davis CA 95616
Adm: $15. Tix at watermelonmusic.com. Info: Call 530-758-4010 or email info@watermelonmusic.com. Doors open at 7:30 PM.
Facebook Event.

Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard and fretless guitars)

The leader of Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort, released his first solo recording, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, in 2009. He is a pioneer among guitarists who have had their fretboards scalloped in order to play various forms of world music that require intricate note-bending ornaments while still being able to play chords. He is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor. He has performed concerts worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai, and live on national shows such as the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills.

Abbos Kosimov (Uzbek percussion)

Abbos Kosimov with Drums in the Air YouTube Video

International phenomenon Abbos Kosimov is a master of the doyra (a frame drum with metal rings) and an ambassador of Uzbek culture. Abbos is known for taking the doyra to unprecedented new heights. He developed finger tapping techniques inspired by North Indian tabla masters, adding new dimensions to the instrument's sonic capabilities. Abbos also plays qayroqs, darbuka, dof, and riqq.
Abbos was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to a highly musical family. His father played santoor (hammered dulcimer) and his brother played ney (flute), and began studying doyra at age ten. In 1988, Abbos graduated from the College of Culture and Music under dorya master Mamurjon Vahbov. Abbos completed his higher education at the Tashkent State Institute of Culture in 1994, and established his own Abbos school where he taught the most talented youth of his country to play doyra. In honor of the 10th anniversary of Uzbekistan's Independence, Abbos was awarded with a medal and given the illustrious title of Honored Artists of Uzbekistan by the president of Uzbekistan. In 2005, Abbos moved to the United States, leading to performances and recordings with artists such as Steve Wonder, Zakir Hussain, Giovanni Hidalgo, Terry Bozzio, Swapan Chaudhuri, Kronos Quartet, and Omar Sosa.
Abbos released his solo album, Infinite Rhythm, in July 2012. That same year, Abbos met Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort when they were both hired to perform with renowned Indian singer Pandit Binay Pathak. Abbos has since recorded tracks for Ancient Future's fan funded recording project, The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings.

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Free Sonoma Library Concert Series Finale

'Yearning for the Wind' by Ancient Future Ethnocloud Video

Matthew Montfort with Indian Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar

The finale concert of a series of free hour long educational concerts by Ancient Future at Sonoma County libraries will introduce the audience to Indian rhythms and feature scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort accompanied by Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar.

Saturday, May 19, 2018, 2 to 3 PM
Ancient Future Guitar and Tabla Duet
Featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Vishal Nagar (tabla)
Sonoma Valley Regional Library
755 West Napa Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
Free. Info: 707-996-5217 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us.
Facebook Event.

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A Future for Music Education

Ancient Traditions Hold the Key

While the musical period that Ancient Future has inhabited has been marked by some wonderful innovations, there have also been declines in the public perception of the value of music and major budget cutbacks to music education in public schools. Raising new generations without exposure to music education cannot be good for the art of music, or society in general.
We need to place more value on music, because it can bring people together in ways that other mediums can't. When President Bush visited Singapore in 2006, their diplomacy efforts included a gamelan performance. Invited to play himself, Bush beat a metalophone with a rubber mallet for a time, and then said: "I'm going to quit while I'm ahead." This is a shame, as he was obviously having fun and his first performance was greeted with applause by the members of the gamelan orchestra, as shown in World Rhythms News Issue 9. Imagine the conflicts that might be avoided if world leaders spent time learning the traditional music of their adversaries.
While heads of state may not yet be studying world music, you can make a difference in your own life by learning the ancient musical traditions of the world. Below are some educational resources available from Ancient Future.

Free Online Lessons at Ancient-Future.Com

The rhythmic and melodic aspects of the musical traditions of the world are a good place to begin one's studies. Timbre or tone color is often one of the first aspects of a musical tradition to be noticed by the uninitiated and many of the instruments in use in world music are very interesting subjects in themselves.
The fundamentals in primary school education are often described as the three R's: Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic. This world music training course concentrates on the three T's: Time, Tune, and Timbre.
The time portion of the training includes introductions to the rhythms of West Africa, home of the astounding art of polyrhythms; Bali, where the interlocking rhythms of gamelan music fill the night air; India, birthplace of tala (rhythmic cycles); the Arab world, home of iqa'at (rhythmic modes); and world fusion rhythms created by combining ideas from many traditions. The tune portion showcases rich melodic content of the ragas of North India and South Indian vina music arranged for guitar. Under timbre there are articles on North Indian sitar, South Indian vina, scalloped fretboard guitar, Andean charango, North Indian tabla, South Indian mridangam, Balinese gamelan, and the percussion of the Ewe orchestra of West Africa.

Workshops and Skype Lessons

30 Minute Skype Lesson. $50. Sale $36. Buy 1 Now. Custom private 30 minute online lesson via Skype or other video conferencing service.
Matthew Montfort offers online lessons in the subjects covered in the educational section of Ancient-Future.Com via Skype; rhythm workshops at conservatories, public schools, and resorts; and instruction for all styles of guitar, ukulele, bass, mandolin, sitar, and other plucked instruments.

Ancient Traditions - Future Possibilities

Sale Celebrates New Audio Guides and Grooves for Gizmos

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. By Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2. Comb Bound Book- $46.95 (SALE $33.95): Buy 1 Now.
Book and Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI files- $74.95 (SALE $53.95): Buy 1 Now. New Best Buy! Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download- $69.95 (SALE $49.95): Buy 1 Now.
This classic "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all music lovers, not just percussionists.

New Guides and Grooves

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Audio Guide and MIDI Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (AF-0001, 2005. V 4.0, 2017). New Release! Companion MP3/MIDI Guide Tracks Download Set- $34.95 (SALE 24.95): Buy 1 Now. Companion Audio/MIDI Guide Tracks 2 Volume CD/CD-ROM Set- $39.95 (SALE $29.95): Buy 1 Now.
This new downloadable companion set of MP3 audio guide and MIDI groove tracks of the exercises in the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities is set up for playback on Mac and PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. The tracks are also available on a CD/CD-ROM set. The material is presented in two complimentary formats: audio guide tracks and MIDI groove tracks.

Audio Guide Tracks

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: MP3 Audio Guide Tracks. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (2005). New Release! Companion MP3 Audio Guide Tracks Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95): Buy 1 Now.
A set of 115 audio guide tracks of the exercises in Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities that enable learning by ear.

MIDI Groove Tracks

Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. Version 4.0. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (1997. V. 4.0 2017). New Release! MIDI File Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95): Buy 1 Now.
A complete set of 128 MIDI tracks that playback in Standard MIDI File compatible web browsers. For greater control or for use as rhythm tracks in audio productions, load them into a MIDI sequencer app (Mac, PC, iOS, Android, etc.) to loop tracks, change the tempo, or listen to individual parts. The files come arranged for General MIDI percussion and can be remapped to other instruments using the included MIDI maps.

Quote

"You can view this deceptively slim masterwork from a few different angles: as a friendly yet serious appetizer on three of the most sophisticated rhythm systems on earth; a chance to work on your rhythmic sight reading; a three-culture dip with matching mp3s for your ears; a gateway to exotic spices, complete with MIDI files, for your songwriting or drumming; or a fun way to organically digest complex time signatures. No matter how you slice it, this scholarly labor of love is packed with rich flavors for those patient enough to harvest them." – E.E. Bradman, Bass Player Magazine

Future of Ancient Future

Ancient Future Times: Future of Ancient Future
November 2017 Issue:
Help Build Our Future: Join a Campaign to Save Music
•Check Out This Video Shedding Light on the Artist's Plight in the Digital Age
Free Library Concert Series Continues After the Fires
•World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort with Arabic Percussion Virtuoso Antoine Lammam or Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar
Guitar Summit at Wu Wei Temple in Fairfax
•Featuring Matthew Montfort (Scalloped Fretboard Guitar) and Teja Gerken (Fingerstyle Guitar)
Beats Book Brings Bang for the Buck
•Sale Celebrates New Audio Guides and Grooves for Gizmos

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Help Build Our Future: Join a Campaign to Save Music

Check Out This Video Shedding Light on the Artist's Plight in the Digital Age

By Matthew Montfort
I'm on the board of directors of the Content Creators Coalition, a nonprofit uniting artists organizing in favor of fair rates for music. We just released two funny new videos referencing Apple's "Hi, I'm a Mac" campaign that take aim at YouTube's tiny compensation for ad-supported streams and its takedown process for unauthorized usage that is basically impossible for artists to use.
But YouTube promptly responded with its own takedown of our inital video post! As Richard Morgan wrote in the New York Post, "While videos of ISIS beheadings somehow slipped past YouTube censors, the video streaming site didn’t have any problems finding a playful ad campaign by some indie musicians — and promptly pulling the plug on it." The video was later restored when it became clear that pulling the video had caused a backlash that was generating negative publicity for YouTube.

What This Means for Ancient Future's World Fusion Music Mission

The videos demonstrate one of the major difficulties Ancient Future has in continuing its mission in the digital age. For emerging artists and those in less mainstream genres, the tech industry's "creative disruption" has "elevated" artists from workers or small businesses to beggars. No doubt you see lots of requests from artists seeking support through tech solicitation hubs such as Kickstarter. Unfortunately, it has come to my attention that I am sadly lacking in my solicitation skills.
Ancient Future has been experiencing a shortfall between the income we need to support our mission and the income that comes in from concerts and recordings. I tried to make up the difference by working non-stop on the computer, but this ended up causing tendon problems. It has come to the point where I can't personally continue to put in all the business hours necessary just to keep Ancient Future going, much less to expand our reach, which is what is necessary to further the mission of world fusion music.
I have come to the conclusion that Ancient Future needs a team of volunteers, benefactors, and superfans in order for world fusion music to reach its potential for social change. Here are some things you can do to help!

Ways to Support Ancient Future in the Digital Age

Volunteer Positions Available

Ancient Future needs a Director of Solicitations, Begging, and Busking to help raise money for activities, apply for grants, and explore starting a non-profit organization to support world fusion music. Other open positions include Concert Circuit Creator (duties include developing a circuit of world fusion friendly presenters and booking concerts), Anti-Social Media Manager (duties include encouraging cross-cultural pro-social responses on the anti-social media without simply enriching said companies at the expense of artists), and Traditional Media Archeologist (duties include searching through the charred remains of the traditional media to locate the whereabouts of current media contacts to maintain our database of world fusion friendly media).
Anyone interested in stepping forward is encouraged to email info@ancient-future.com. The positions could eventually become paid ones once financial support is generated by a genius Director of Solicitations, Begging, and Busking.

Direct Donation to Subsidize Concerts

Like the symphony, Ancient Future's world music rehearsals and performances cannot be supported by ticket sales alone. Yet arts funding has been cut drastically, especially in the USA and in California, and the advancement and indeed survival of the art of music is at stake.
You can help support Ancient Future's local San Francisco Bay Area concert season, or with a big enough donation, provide seed money to get Ancient Future to perform in your local area. Contributions can be made online or via check payable to "Ancient Future" sent to:
Ancient Future
PO Box 264
Kentfield, CA 94914-0264
Contributions are not currently tax deductible because Ancient Future is not registered as a 501(c) nonprofit organization. But hopefully Ancient Future's next Director of Solictations, Begging, and Busking (you?) can rectify that.

Donate to the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings

Bui Huu Nhut and Abbos Kosimov Recording A.F.A.R.. Photos by Michael Braden

The concept of the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings (A.F.A.R.) is to involve fans of world fusion music in supporting the production of an archive of live and studio recordings of cross cultural collaborations. The best of these recordings will be selected to be released commercially at a "future" date, at which point they will be on their way to becoming "ancient" recordings, hence the title.
There are four supporter thank-you packages available ranging from $15 to $75, and while donations to the A.F.A.R. project are not currently tax deductible, donations of any amount are greatly appreciated! Please do what you can to support the music. Detailed information on the various supporter packages and the benefits included can be found at www.ancient-future.com/afar.html.

Live Video of A.F.A.R. Track

Watch video on Ethnocloud

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Free Library Concert Series Continues After the Fires

Arabic Percussion Virtuoso Antoine Lammam and World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort

Ancient Future's first concerts after October's devastating Northern California fires will be in areas that were very much under threat. The fires forced the evacuation of Ancient Future percussionist Antoine Lammam, who will be performing at three of the concerts. Fortunately his home was spared. Others, including supporters of Ancient Future, were not so lucky. Our hearts go out to everyone affected. The recovery will take a sustained commitment.
These free hour long educational concerts by Ancient Future at Sonoma County libraries will introduce the audience to Indian and Arabic rhythms and feature world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort accompanied by either Arabic percussion virtuoso Antoine Lammam or Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar.

November Concerts

• Wednesday November 8, 2017, 5 to 6 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Free. Info: 707-433-3772 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  
• Wednesday November 8, 2017, 7 to 8 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Windsor Regional Library, 9291 Old Redwood Highway Building 100, Windsor, CA 95492. Free. Info: 707-838-1020 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  

Winter Concerts

• POSTPONED: Saturday, December 2, 2017, 2 to 3 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Tabla Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Vishal Nagar (tabla), Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. Free. Info: 707-996-5217 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  
• Saturday, January 6, 2018, 2 to 3 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Guerneville Regional Library, 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville, CA 95446. Free. Info: 707-869-9004 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  

'El Zaffa' by Ancient Future

Video of Arabic fusion music by Ancient Future

'Yearning for the Wind' by Ancient Future

Video of Indian fusion music by Ancient Future

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Guitar Summit at Wu Wei Temple in Fairfax

Featuring Matthew Montfort (Scalloped Fretboard Guitar) and Teja Gerken (Fingerstyle Guitar)

Friday, December 8, 8 PM, Wu Wei Tea Temple, 1820 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, CA 94930. No cover. Suggested donation: $10 - $20. Info: visit wuweiteatemple.com.
Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar, an instrument with a modified fretboard in which the wood between frets has been carved out in order to facilitate intricate note-bending ornaments. He has released two solo CDs: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar and Sympathetic Serenade, for which he is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com.
Teja Gerken is a contemporary steel-string fingerstyle guitarist whose playing merges the styles of European guitar pioneers such as John Renbourn and Pierre Bensusan with the distinct sounds of American players such as Leo Kottke and Micheal Hedges. Known for his original compositions, many of which employ alternate tunings, two-handed tapping, percussive effects, and other extended guitar techniques, Teja will also bring Celtic, jazz, and classical styles to the summit.

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Beats Book Brings Bang for the Buck

Sale Celebrates New Audio Guides and Grooves for Gizmos

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. By Matthew Montfort. Mill Valley: Panoramic Press, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2. Comb Bound Book- $46.95 (SALE $33.95). Book and Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI files- $74.95 (SALE $53.95). New Best Buy! Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download- $69.95 (SALE $49.95).
This classic "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all music lovers, not just percussionists.

New Guides and Grooves

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Audio Guide and MIDI Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (AF-0001, 2005. V 4.0, 2017). New Release! Companion MP3/MIDI Guide Tracks Download Set- $34.95 (SALE 24.95). Companion Audio/MIDI Guide Tracks 2 Volume CD/CD-ROM Set- $39.95 (SALE $29.95).
This new downloadable companion set of MP3 audio guide and MIDI groove tracks of the exercises in the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities is set up for playback on Mac and PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. The tracks are also available on a CD/CD-ROM set. The material is presented in two complimentary formats: audio guide tracks and MIDI groove tracks.

Audio Guide Tracks

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: MP3 Audio Guide Tracks. By Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music (2005). New Release! Companion MP3 Audio Guide Tracks Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95).
Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Audio Guide Tracks is a set of 115 audio guide tracks of the exercises in Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities that enable learning by ear.

MIDI Groove Tracks

Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. Version 4.0. By Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music (1997. V. 4.0 2017). New Release! MIDI File Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95).
Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India is a complete set of 128 MIDI tracks that playback in Standard MIDI File compatible web browsers. For greater control or for use as rhythm tracks in audio productions, load them into a MIDI sequencer app (Mac, PC, iOS, Android, etc.) to loop tracks, change the tempo, or listen to individual parts. The files come arranged for General MIDI percussion and can be remapped to other instruments using the included MIDI maps.

Workshops and Skype Lessons

60 Minute Skype Lesson. $75 (Sale $60). Custom private one hour online lesson via Skype or other video conferencing service.
Matthew Montfort offers instruction based on Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities through online lessons via Skype and rhythm workshops at conservatories, public schools, and resorts. He also offers instruction for all styles of guitar, ukulele, bass, mandolin, sitar, and other plucked instruments.

Quote

"You can view this deceptively slim masterwork from a few different angles: as a friendly yet serious appetizer on three of the most sophisticated rhythm systems on earth; a chance to work on your rhythmic sight reading; a three-culture dip with matching mp3s for your ears; a gateway to exotic spices, complete with MIDI files, for your songwriting or drumming; or a fun way to organically digest complex time signatures. No matter how you slice it, this scholarly labor of love is packed with rich flavors for those patient enough to harvest them." – E.E. Bradman, Bass Player Magazine

Beat's by the Books

Ancient Future Times: Beat's by the Books
September 2017 Issue:
Where's the Beat?
•West Africa, Bali, and India, birthplaces of polyrhythm, gamelan, and tala.
Ancient Future Performs Free Library Concert Series
•World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort with Arabic Percussion Virtuoso Antoine Lammam or Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar

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Where's the Beat?

  
A. West Africa, Bali, and India, birthplaces of polyrhythm, gamelan, and tala.
B. Within every performer, where musical dreams are made.
C. In a rhythm training manual by Matthew Montfort called Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities.
D. In the new companion set from Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Audio Guide and MIDI Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India.
E. Through world rhythm workshops and Skype study with Matthew Montfort.
F. All of the above.

The Answer

If you answered "all of the above," you are well on your way to finding the beat! Read on to find out how a training manual on the rhythms of Africa, Bali and India can help performers of all types reach their musical dreams, enable listeners to get more out of music, and is now bringing these ancient rhythms into the grooves of the future with the release of an audio companion edition for digital audio workstations, sequencers, computers, tablets, smartphones, CD players and other gizmos!

The Beginning, the Beat, the Book

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. By Matthew Montfort. Mill Valley: Panoramic Press, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2.
This classic "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all music lovers, not just percussionists.

The New Guides and Grooves

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Audio Guide and MIDI Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (AF-0001, 2005. V 4.0, 2017). New Preview Release!
This new downloadable companion set of MP3 audio guide and MIDI groove tracks of the exercises in the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities is set up for playback on Mac and PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. The tracks are also available on a CD/CD-ROM set. The material is presented in two complimentary formats: audio guide tracks and MIDI groove tracks.

The Audio Guide Tracks

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Audio Guide Tracks is a set of 115 audio guide tracks of the exercises in Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities that enable learning by ear.

The MIDI Groove Tracks

Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India is a complete set of 128 MIDI tracks that playback in Standard MIDI File compatible web browsers. For greater control or for use as rhythm tracks in audio productions, load them into a MIDI sequencer app (Mac, PC, iOS, Android, etc.) to loop tracks, change the tempo, or listen to individual parts. The files come arranged for General MIDI percussion and can be remapped to other instruments using the included MIDI maps.

The Eve Orchestra of West Africa

The Eve people of the island town of Anyako off the coast of Southeastern Ghana have developed a music rich in polyrhythmic interplay, such as in the drum music of takada, a dance and drumming club developed by the Eve women. The instruments of their percussion orchestra are detailed in the West African section of Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves.

The Interlocking Rhythms of Balinese Gamelan

A gamelan is an ensemble normally composed primarily of percussion. In Bali, orchestras of tuned gongs, bronze kettles, bronze metallophones, bamboo xylophones, drums, cymbals, and flutes fill the night air with animated music. Melodic parts interlock, divided in such a way that musicians play alternate notes to form the melody line. These interlocking parts, known as kotèkan, require cooperation and a keen sense of rhythm to perform. The Balinese section of Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves details the music and instruments of the Gamelan Semar Pegulingan and other ensembles.

The Rhythmic Cycles of India

The perception of the cyclic nature of life is reflected in Indian classical music through the device of tala, a recurring time-measure or rhythmic cycle. There are two different traditions in Indian classical music, the Carnatic music of South India and the Hindustani music of North India.
The tabla is a North Indian drum set comprised of two drums with goat-skin heads. For every sound on the drum there is a corresponding syllable. These syllables are known as bols. Each North Indian tala has a theka, a standard set of bols that identify the rhythmic cycle. The MIDI files of these thekas make excellent groove tracks for creating compositions or practicing. The North Indian section of Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves features a full explanation of the tabla bols complete with audio links to tabla samples of each bol, and files for VSTi instruments and GarageBand that remap the MIDI files to the included tabla samples.
The mridangam is a South Indian two-headed barrel drum made of jackwood with goatskin heads. South Indian drumming has a language all of its own known as solkattu. For the sounds produced by the mridangam, there are corresponding syllables known as konokol. The South Indian section of Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves features an explanation of the konokol syllables used in the solkattu compositions that are presented.

The Workshops and Skype Lessons

Matthew Montfort offers instruction based on Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities through online lessons via Skype and rhythm workshops at conservatories, public schools, and resorts.

The Quotes

"You can view this deceptively slim masterwork from a few different angles: as a friendly yet serious appetizer on three of the most sophisticated rhythm systems on earth; a chance to work on your rhythmic sight reading; a three-culture dip with matching mp3s for your ears; a gateway to exotic spices, complete with MIDI files, for your songwriting or drumming; or a fun way to organically digest complex time signatures. No matter how you slice it, this scholarly labor of love is packed with rich flavors for those patient enough to harvest them." – E.E. Bradman, Bass Player Magazine
"You've heard Afro-Pop, sitar, gamelan and world music for years. But do you know what they are and how they work? Better yet, would you like to play those twisted cross-rhythms and melodies? In Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities, Matthew Montfort, a founding member of the world music band Ancient Future, has put together the book for people who want to dig into world music with both hands. Wherever possible, Montfort has provided beat counts alongside the standard musical notation so even if you can't read music, you can still learn the rhythms." – Richard Kadrey, San Francisco Chronicle
"A hands-on exploration of Balinese, African, and Indian rhythms that should appeal to all musicians. One needn't play percussion instruments, or any instruments at all, for that matter, to use and benefit from the book." – Drums and Drumming
"Very highly recommended for any instrumentalists hoping to expand their rhythmic horizons. If you've never investigated the beautiful clash of African polyrhythm, the incredible interlocking textures of Balinese music, or the complex metric structure of Indian classical music, check out Ancient Traditions – it will blow your mind and deepen your groove." – Guitar Player
"If you're tired of programming your drum machine with the same old 4/4 back-beat, or you want to sharpen your rhythmic chops, this book is highly recommended." – Electronic Musician

The Performers

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities has been used and admired by many teachers and musicians around the world.
Lou Harrison (1917-2003), prominent composer and founder of the American gamelan movement, called the work "a very useful contribution to musical scholarship."
Reinhard Flatischler, founder of the TaKeTiNa rhythm training process, was an early enthusiast of the method book.
John Bergamo (1940-2013), composer and coordinator of the percussion department at the California Institute of the Arts, found a copy of Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities when he cleaned out his desk at retirement. As he finally had the time available, he worked his way through it, after which he called the author to thank him for writing it, and encouraged him to write more world music training manuals. One is in the works.
Steve Smith, stellar jazz and rock drummer of Journey fame, went through the book in preparation for a percussion summit with tabla master Zakir Hussain.
Start your own journey to musical excellence with Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities!

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Ancient Future Performs Free Library Concert Series

World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort with Arabic Percussion Virtuoso Antoine Lammam or Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar

One of the program variations of the trailblazing world fusion music ensemble, Ancient Future, this improvisatory duet features world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort accompanied by either Arabic percussion virtuoso Antoine Lammam or Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar. Strains of flamenco, Arabic music, and Indian raga emanate from this duet performing renditions of music from Ancient Future's ground breaking world music recordings as well as many new unreleased works!

These hour long educational concerts by Ancient Future at Sonoma County libraries will introduce the audience to musical concepts from world music such as Indian and Arabic rhythms.

September Concerts

• Wednesday, September 6, 2017, 6:30 to 7:30 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Petaluma Regional Library, 100 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma, CA 94952. Free. Info: 707-763-9801 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  
• Saturday, September 16, 2017, 2 to 3 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Northwest Santa Rosa Library, 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Free. Info: 707-546-2265 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  

November Concerts

• Wednesday November 8, 2017, 5 to 6 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Free. Info: 707-433-3772 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  
• Wednesday November 8, 2017, 7 to 8 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Windsor Regional Library, 9291 Old Redwood Highway Building 100, Windsor, CA 95492. Free. Info: 707-838-1020 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  

Winter Concerts

• Saturday, December 2, 2017, 2 to 3 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Tabla Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Vishal Nagar (tabla), Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. Free. Info: 707-996-5217 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  

• Saturday, January 6, 2018, 2 to 3 PM, Ancient Future Duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Guerneville Regional Library, 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville, CA 95446. Free. Info: 707-869-9004 or visit www.sonoma.lib.ca.us. Facebook Event.
  

'El Zaffa' by Ancient Future

Video of Arabic fusion music by Ancient Future

'Yearning for the Wind' by Ancient Future

Video of Indian fusion music by Ancient Future