1 HindustaniClassicalVocalMusicCourseFormatRaoVocals|ChandramohanRao

North Indian (Hindustani) classical vocal music Course Structure

As part of the classes all students will have voice culture training through vocal

exercises which focuses on the following:

Correct intonation Breath control Volume control Range and depth of voice Throw of voice Smooth beginning and ending of notes Strength of notes and resonance Stability and flexibility of voice And effortless singing in low and high pitch

BEGINNER LEVEL COURSE

Level 1 (12-session course): Learning to sing sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni; vocal

exercise through the practice of 25 alankars or paltas; Aroha-Avaroha of three

ragas.

Level 2 (12-session course): Introduction to komal (flat) and tivra (sharp)

swaras or notes; Aroha-Avaroha of three more ragas; Swaramalika delineating

the basic structure or rupa of 6 ragas in sargam.

Level 3 (12-session course): Alankars in komal and tivra swaras; swaramalika

of 3 more ragas; learning to sing bandish or compositions in three ragas and a

bhajan.

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Level 4 (12-session course): Introduction to taals or rhythmic cycles; learning

to sing compositions in three more ragas; singing the 6 raga compositions with

tabla accompaniment.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL COURSE

Level 1 (12-session course): Learning to sing in akar; introduction to alap, bolalap,

taans, bol-taans; special vocal exercise for singing taans; learning to sing

two medium-paced drut or chota khayals with short alaps, bol-alaps, taans, boltaans

and sargams.

Level 2 (12-session course): Honing the skill to sing alap, bol-alap, taans, boltaans

and sargams; special vocal exercise to sing different varieties of taans,

such as gamak; learning to sing two more chota khayals with alap, bol-alap,

taans, bol-taans and sargams.