Charlie Mariano was fortunate to play with musicians from many different cultures. He has been involved with South Indian music since 1967, and he goes to India regularly to study Carnatic music first-hand.This book is not intended as a comprehensive study. It gives some basic information about the 72 scales (melakartas) that are the parent scales from which all ragas are formed, the Tala: a highly developed rhythmic system, exercises the author was given by his teachers, tunes, and a list of suggested recordings.This book opens new doors for your creativity, regardless which style of music you are playing.