Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Maiya Singh - TarShehnai - Song



Maiya Singh
Testing out a friend's new TarShehnai. Playing a song in Raag Yaman/Kaliyaan/Kalyaan.
The song is : Bhuli Hui Yaadein ( It's pretty old - 1960s or something )

I'm on tabla.

Maiya Singh - TarShehnai - Bandish



Maiya Singh
Testing out a friend's new Tar-Shehnai
Playing a Bandish in Raag Yaman/Kaliyaan/Kalyaan
The Bandish is called: Pal Pal Mori


What's a Bandish? It's a composition / musical piece / tune . Basically the chorus and the verses are somewhat set, and the musician can improvise in between them.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Practice Technique 2

Example is for Raag Bhoopali - you can convert it to work for any Raag

Play the following notes:

S R
S R G
S R G P
S R G P D
S R G P D S.
 
S. D
S. D P
S. D P G
S. D P G R
S. D P G R S


First play 1 bow per note.
After a while, try 1 bow per line - as written above.

Try to keep a constant tempo - I find this very tough to do

Practice Technique

Try this combination of notes

Memorize this pattern - and use it for practising any Raag.

This is example will be For Raag Kalyaan (Yaman)

.N R G .N G R .N R G .N R .N G R .N

(N = low ni)

Then use the same pattern and go up along the aroh 

R G m R m G R G m R G R m G R
(m = ma tivar )

etc.

Try bowing one note at a time
then two notes with one bow
then three notes with one bow
until you can do the whole sequence with one bow

keep a constant speed.

Try - and please post links to your videos as comments. So everyone can check out and help point out how to improve.

Bhai Baljeet Singh & Gurmeet Singh Namdhari - Kirtan Program in the UK






Foward to 27:00 mins and ENJOY.
Also Check out 53:30

My opinion: They're one of the best Ragi Jathas in the world right now. In terms of feeling expressed when singing / musical skill / and just overall style.

My teacher learned Tar-shehnai from Bhai Baljeet Singh.

Bhai Baljeet Singh learned from Ustad Piyara (Pyara) Singh.

Before that - no clue :P

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Raag Bhoopali on Guitar - South Indian Style

They call it Raag Mohanam - Very similar to Raag Bhoopali.

This guy is very good.



Listen to how it compares with the way I played Raag Bhoopali - "same same, yet different"

Raag Desh (Sorath) - Guitar

I found this video of a guy playing Indian Classical Music (South Indian/Carnatic Style) on Guitar. Looks like he's just jamming with his friends. He's very good.



Raag Desh (Sorath) - very sweet raag.
It is quite commonly used in indian music, especially for Indian patriotic songs (like "Vande Mataram").

Nitin Sawhney's "Nadia" is also in Raag Desh.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Dilruba - Raag Bhoopali Alaap



Short Alaap in Raga Bhoopali . practicing .

I love this Raga - always gives out a very happy and light mood.
Oddly enough - If you listen to this old English song : "Don't Worry, Be Happy" - by Bobby McFerrin you'll notice that it's basically in Raag Bhoopali (notes used: S R G P D S)


"Don't Worry, Be Happy" - by Bobby McFerrin

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy......

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Lood at me I am happy
Don't worry, be happy
Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I make you happy
Don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got not girl to make you smile
But don't worry be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy (now).....

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little children
Don't worry, be happy
Listen to what I say
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don't worry, be happy......
Don't worry don't do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don't bring everybody down like this
Don't worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don't worry, be happy

Saturday, December 9, 2006

What the heck is a Raag?

This is how I understand it simply: A Raag is a set of rules for creating music/melody.
The rules of a Raag will determine things like:
  • which notes to skip and which notes to use - overall
  • which notes to skip and which notes to use when you're ascending from low to high
  • which notes to skip and which notes to use when you're descending from high to low
  • what pattern of notes must be included in the music you're creating
  • what pattern of notes must be avoided in the music you're creating
Staying within the rules of each Raag - you can improvise as much as you wish.

That's basically it, without getting into too much detail.

Friday, December 8, 2006

Dilruba - Raag Kalyan

Me practicing Raag Kalyaan
Short Alaap - and a Shaan (Instrumental Tune) I heard from a recording of Bhai Avtar Singh Ragi.



I find this Raag very peaceful and soothing.

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Raag Kalyan - Taus and Tar-Shehnai



Raag Kalyan (Yaman) is a Raag that is quite commonly heard/played/sung. Can create tunes that are peaceful, relaxing, devotional, and sometimes even sad; depending on how it's played.

If you know any songs in this Raag - pls post.

The video is of an Instrumental concert in the UK. I recognize only Ranbir Singh - playing the Taus - which is a bigger version of the dilruba that's shaped like a peacock. It has a peacock head attached to the front, and the rest of it is the body and the tail. It's got a deeper sound than regular Dilrubas.

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Raag Khamaj Shaan



One of my favorite tunes - Learned from my teacher.

Tough one.. especially with no tabla to help stay in beat.

Sunday, December 3, 2006

Raag Asavari - Tum Ho Sabh Rajan Ke Raja

Heard from Bhai Baljeet Singh & Gurmeet Singh's CD - If you haven't heard it yet you're missing out.

Pls note - I know I fumbled on many notes on this recording - but out of 10 recordings I made this was the best.

Will use this as motivation to keep improving. Can use this site to track progress.

Raag Dhanasri - Kaisee Aarti Hoye Tune

Raag Dhanasri ( Many modern hindustani classical music teachers call this raag Bhimpalasi now )

Tune of "Kaisee Aartee Hoye" heard from Bhai Avtar Singh Ragi's Recordings.

Tar Shehnai / Esraj (Dilruba)

Dilruba = stringed instrument that looks like a smaller version of the Sitar, but is played with a bow like a Cello. Another appropriate description is "a Dilruba is Half a Sarangi and Half a Sitar", as you can see from the videos above.

Esraj = Same as a Dilruba, except the bottom is shaped differently. There are a few other small differences also: like the position of the main playing string, and the way the resonating strings are arranged behind the playing string.

Tar-Shehnai = Esraj + Sound Box that produces a high pitched Shehnai type sound.


I've been learning the Tar-Shehnai / Esraj for 3 years. Still need lots of practise, but I'm having fun- and this site is to post up random Tunes i've Learned / Heard.

Enjoy