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7Best Practices which a Carnatic Vocalist must Follow
Being a vocal student of Carnatic music is a lifetime bond . It doesn ’ t have any limits or an end . The versatility of Carnatic music lies in its various kinds of compositions , scales , expressivity that always has something to dig more on . However , Carnatic music is an embodiment of discipline- whether it comes to following the composer ’ s notation , staying true to the notes , and confining to the principles of the raaga . To attain good melodic knowledge along with rhythmic expertise , every Carnatic vocalist must follow these seven best practices :
1 . Interact with Your Guru : No matter how much of technological advancements happen , and one can learn a composition listening over the Internet , the relationship you have with Carnatic guru will heavily impact your discipline , and overall approach towards music . Along with learning the lessons , interact , discuss and fearlessly ask every doubt to your guru and excel in the practice .
2 . Be Consistent : Practicing every day even for a little chunk of time will be more beneficial than a long stretch of practice that lasts rarely . Start off with 30minutes of practice everyday ( preferably at the same time of the day ) and stay consistent with it . Once the confidence is gained , expand the time slowly and work your way towards mastery !
3 . Cumulative Practice : Usually , the vocalists tend to focus more on the current lesson being taught and overlook the ones that have been already finished . This will make the vocalist lose touch
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16 highonscore Magazine . com over the learnings and compositions . Hence , make sure to revisit those old compositions which your guru taught some years ago . Trust us , the interpretation and perception of the composition wonderfully changes with this action !
4 . Listening = Learning : Every music teacher , irrespective of the genre emphasizes on this part ; and Carnatic music is of no exception . Along with the lessons currently being learnt , take some time to listen to the musical greats – vocalists as well as instrumentalists . Also , listen to Hindustani Classical forms to understand how differently they interpret Carnatic raagas .
5 . Face Your Fears : It is not surprising that every vocalist has a fear to perform a particular kriti / varnam because of its complexities or just the vibe . Whichever composition instills you fear , take it up as a challenge and divide the same into smaller portions . Down-up approach works greatly for complex compositions !
6 . Practice Applied Theory : Some vocalists find theory quite interesting and get carried away in learning the nuances of Carnatic music , the composers and their history which is downright helpful . But to be a successful Carnatic vocalist , applying theory to practice , and implementation is crucial . Whenever you come across a new theory concept , try ways to apply it then and there .
7 . Attend Live Performances : Watching a video at the comfort of your home might be tempting , but nothing can beat the experience of a Carnatic live concert . Attend various live performances that happen in the city featuring top artists which gives great insight into stage ethics , performance nuances , and how well they are presenting their music .