Let’s start from the Very Beginning!!
I remember when I was in school, I was taught a song called “Do Re Me” and that started with words such as “Let’s start from the very beginning.” I think any knowledge when it’s put in a fun and easy way, it get’s easier to grasp but at the same time setting up a foundation is necessary to learn or appreciate especially music. Most of the times, we listen to Film music and sometimes we get under the impression that we know it all like for example when any singer sings a song, it sounds alright for us unless he or she is singing really absurd. But for musically trained or knowledgeable people, it’s entirely a different world when they hear anyone sing. They can instantly make out the difference of where the person went wrong and what he should have done to correct that mistake and I guess that is the difference between us and them – knowledge!
But music is not learned only to correct someone’s mistakes but it is learned to appreciate and enjoy it better.
We thought since there are so many music lovers here and so it would be a great idea to start with some basic singing lessons. Now as we all agree that the foundation to all music is Classical and so we begin a new weekly segment on this family blog called “Hindustani Shastriya Sangeet”.
In this segment, we will start off from the very beginning and try to gain as much knowledge as possible at least till the time you ask me to stop. But don’t you worry, we will take small baby steps. I think it will be a great tool especially for those who always wanted to learn classical singing so here is your chance to learn without spending any money and others can always learn it too for appreciation purpose.
I have been very fortunate that I could start on my Hindustani lessons about two years back. It was my childhood dream to learn classical singing. As I continue learning, I thought it would be great idea to share the knowledge that I gained with my virtual family members. I am told that knowledge increases when you share. Let’s see if it really happens but I do plan on continuing with it even after I go back home. So whatever little I learned so far, I will be more then glad to share with you with the hope and confidence that if I go wrong then the noted singers of this blog can always correct me and help you learn better.
So friends, here is your Lesson number 1
Many at times people wonder what is classical singing? What does it mean? Well, the music that is sung and played by following strictly the rules of notes, rhythm, melody and harmony is called classical music or Shastriya Sangeet.
The smallest interval of tuning system in the Hindustani classical is called “Sruti”. There are 22 Srutis per saptak which is Octave. In Hindustani classical music, only 12 swaras are used out of which 7 are known as Shuddh (pure) and 5 are called Vikrit (sharp/flat).
The seven Shudd notes are:
Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni.
These are also written as S R G M P D N and the full form of these swaras are:
Sa Shadja
Re Rishabd
Ga Gandhar
Ma Madhyam
Pa Pancham
Dha Dhaivat
Ni Nishad
The sharp or flat 5 notes are:
Koma Re ( R ) - Flat
Komal Ga ( G ) - Flat
Tivra Ma ( M ) – Sharp
Komal Dha ( D ) – Flat
Komal Ni ( N ) – Flat
To keep it simple, we will stop here but no knowledge is grasped without practicing. So please listen to the audio below and practice your singing. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
| Individual swaras…. |
Your feedback is essential – please let me know how you like this segment and if you would want this segment to continue or not. Any other ideas or suggestions will be highly appreciated. Have a wonderful evening and happy learning!!
- Raffu
Posts
Made me laugh out loud thinking of the besuri contest…
I am the all-time winner of THAT contest - And I don’t think any of you want to hear me sing - hmmmm - reconsidering the idea now - I think this will a neat way to get everyone here to give me something nice to just shut me up. Thanks Raffu. I’m on… and you are my teacher - just don’t expect me to touch your feet, that’s all! hahahaha
I like your idea - as always, so sweet of you to do this for us.
I am a bit surprised - why does Raffu’s voice in the adio clip sound so masculine?
I am practising - Sa-Re-Ga-Li-De-Na-Ra-Fu-Ko…
Raffu your turn!
Manish all this time she harrassed me for being a man now the truth comes out, she is one
as for you fu ko I don’t know if you guys got to see a show called Dharma and Greg but in it the father in law trying to say how much fun he was, says ” I put the f u in fun ” your sur reminded me of that
Rafia this is excellent but how do I tell if I am doing it right we all can say saaaaaa reeeey but are we saying it correctly any way to know
Thank u raffu very very much..i always wanted to learn music..and so from u..please please do continue it..u r very gud..always thinks for sake of others..again thank u:):)
Raffuji
Thank u so much. U r multi talented. Its a very nice segment pls contine this.
Raffu ..no doubt this segment is excellent but pls think abt a very talented be-sura singer like my self.
hehhehe…. so u wil hv to introduce another segmnt for imparting knowledge of besura singing .:)
i think shobha wil also agree
great going raffu. but next time i want to hear your voice ok?
oops secrets out… now you all know that raffu chakkar is not a female but a male
aditi and veena …thank you so much dear… so sweet of you
okay if others dont boo me down then i would love to continue with this segment.
mao, shobha, ahmed and padma…. you all need to practice.. there is nothing like besura … so practice fast before i punish for not doing ur homework
manish…. everytime i see your message, i start singing one song…. “tum aaye toh aaya mujhe yaad, gali mein meri chand nikla, jaane kitne dino ke baad, gali mein meri chand nikla”
dude… love u soooooooooo much!! can we see you everyday pls?????????
Hi friends
i visited the site king hasan.com n listened the RAJA voice.its amazing.can anyone tell me when this album will come?? Desperateli am waiting………
this YAAR MILA DE RE is going to rock.
RAJA LOOKS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SWEET IN TRADITION DREES.
LOVE HIM SO MUCH.
MY KIMCHI HASAN IS REALLY GREAT.
MISSING RAJA IN THIS ZEE NITE………………………
Raffu you missed the point I can practice and at one point before my lungs left me, I had sur or could carry a tune but now even saying saregamapa makes me breathless, I want to practice but how do I know I am getting it right