How to Learn Carnatic Music
Carnatic Music refers to the classical music form of Southern India, having roots in the Vedas (ancient texts derived from the vibrations in space) which comprise thousands of hymns. References to music are found in ancient Indian texts and scriptures dating back to 600 BC. It is a complex system of music with 72 basic scales on the octave and a variety of melodic motion. Learning Carnatic Music, like any other art form, is a lifelong quest.
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Instructions
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Find a Guru (teacher) well-versed in Carnatic Music and who has experience teaching it. Ask friends and family for names of teachers in your area. Look for ads in your neighborhood Indian grocery stores, restaurants or Hindu temples. Visit websites like eknazar and skim their classifieds listings for your city. Many Carnatic Music teachers advertise in these places.
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Expose yourself to Carnatic Music. Listen to it at every possible opportunity. Go to kutcheris (Carnatic Music concerts). Buy or borrow CDs. Listen to compositions online or while you drive. Watch online videos of Carnatic musicians performing. Read up on the theory of Carnatic Music, ragas (a framework that binds scale, tune and mode in Carnatic music), about composers and artists.
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Practice consistently. Once you've started lessons, it is crucial that you practice every day for at least an hour. With consistent practice, you will get more comfortable with the notes and tunes, and your voice will improve. You will also find it easier to hit higher scales. Mastering the basics of Carnatic music, voice and breathing techniques is essential if you wish to proceed to more advanced lessons.
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Experiment with improvisation. The true challenge for a Carnatic musician lies in different aspects of improvisation or Manodharma Sangeetha (imaginative music). Improvisations are performed on the spot while rendering a song, with no preparation. They must still adhere to the grammar and structure of the song. It takes a thorough study of dozens, maybe hundreds of compositions, listening to masters and researching their styles to reach this level of skill.
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If you don't have access to a teacher or are unable to find one with whom you feel comfortable, give digital learning a try. Purchase instructional CDs or learn your Carnatic Music fundamentals from online resources. However, this should only be an alternative course. Learning first hand from a trained musician is still the best way to learn Carnatic music.
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Tips & Warnings
Be patient. Learning Carnatic music is an ongoing process, not something you should rush into or from which you should expect immediate results. Do not fall into the trap of crash courses. Invest time, research teachers and enroll in a good class with the conviction to stick to it at least for a year. Don't give up. It may be a challenging course, but with time, you will begin to enjoy the process and beauty of Carnatic music.
