Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

To teach and learn Indian classical music
msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Post by msakella »

Dear brother-member, vansanthakokilam, Thanks a lot for your kind appreaciation and cooperation in each and every manner. I am a little bit busy in going outstation. After my return I shall go through that site and see. amsharma
Last edited by msakella on 08 Dec 2008, 01:40, edited 1 time in total.

ganesh_mourthy
Posts: 1371
Joined: 02 Sep 2007, 23:08

Post by ganesh_mourthy »

there is bsplayer and gomplayer that handles all video files efficiently. by the by the for those who had downloaded youtube I think Realplayer is the best. it sharpens the qualitiy of flv files actually

bilahari
Posts: 2631
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 09:02

Post by bilahari »

Thank you very much VK and ganesh_mourthy--I was able to watch the video using the VLC player. And Sharma sir, that was indeed a video worth the wait! Your student's fingering, from keeping all the fingers together in the position you've always advocated, the position of the thumb, his capable use of the top half of the A string even in the second speed with minimal loss of shruti and clarity (clearly a result of the single-string fingering exercises you have uploaded before), his consistent kala pramanam, smooth transition between speeds, consistent fingering, are all a testament to your incredible teaching skills and to the wonderful dedication of your sishya as well! This really was quite inspiring, as ganesh_mourthy said. Thank you!

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Post by msakella »

Today, just now I have finished the uploading of the video-clippings of Bhairavi-Svarajati to ‘youtube.com/msakella’ under the following reference for the benefit of our aspirants. By this , only by the grace of the Almighty, I was able to fulfill my long cherished desire of providing the Violin-demonstrations of all the 9-Varnas and Svarajati in detail to all our aspirants with the incessant appreciation and cooperation of all our members. I shall be much obliged if you all go through all of them and write your valuable suggestions and views.
Having become afraid that the video-clipping of entire Svarajati may also be rejected by ‘youtube’, being very lengthy, like in the case of Kalyani-Ata-Varna played by my disciple, Chi. O.Rajashakhar, I have made two parts of both Bhairavi-Svarajati and Kalyani-Ata-Varna also and uploaded the two parts of Svarajati and Varna too. Again in searching and finding suitable technology to split the respective videos into two pieces my 3rd son, Chi. A.N.Swamy helped me a lot again. Now, I have uploaded the two parts of both Svarajati and Varna to keep all the Violin-demonstrations at one place in ‘youtube.com/msakella’. The aspirants interested in listening to entire Kalyani-Ata-varna at a stretch can find it in ‘http://rapidshare.com/users/OCIF3Y. amsharma
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.01-Bhairavi-Svarajati-P.MPG
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.02-Bhairavi-Svarajati-C1.MPG
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.03-Bhairavi-Svarajati-C2.MPG
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.04-Bhairavi-Svarajati-C3.MPG
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.05-Bhairavi-Svarajati-C4.MPG
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.06-Bhairavi-Svarajati-C5.MPG
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.07-Bhairavi-Svarajati-C6.MPG
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.08-Bhairavi-Svarajati-C7.MPG
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.09-Bhairavi-Svarajati-C8.MPG
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.10-Bhairavi-Svarajati-Part-1.MPG
10.AMS-Violin-Demo-10.10-Bhairavi-Svarajati-Part-2.MPG
AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Ata-Varna by O.Rajashekhar at 116 bpm-Part-1
AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Ata-Varna by O.Rajashekhar at 116 bpm-Part-2

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Post by msakella »

Dear brother-member, bilahari, Thank you for your sincere and detailed appreciation. I always wish that all our aspirants must become efficient, dedicated, loyal, impartial and knowledgeable teachers and also efficient performers. For this purpose only I have been struggling hard. amsharma

prabharavi79
Posts: 7
Joined: 25 Nov 2008, 13:56

Post by prabharavi79 »

Dear brothers and sisters of this forum, namaste to you all.

I don't know if this topic requires a new thread.

I feel it is alright to include my experience of being with Sharmaji at Hyderabad in this thread itself, based on the last conversation given by 'Gurugaru' (Sharmaji is called 'Gurugaru' by his disciples who learn music in person from him at his place and the name 'Gurugaru' suits him perfectly!).

I was there with Sharmaji for close to 2 and a half days in Hyderabad.

I was really astonished by the dedication he has towards music and the passion he has towards sharing his knowledge with his disciples.

He was there with me completely all the time all the 2 and a half days, all the time right from morning 7.30 to evening, without even taking any break for relaxing. It was me who used to go for breaks, get up and stand to relax, etc... however, he used to remain in his seat as much as possible sitting in front of me!

For all the time I was there, he used to explain a lot many things, share his experiences and was talking to me and supporting me to play and practise the required exercises without making me feel bored or depressed even though the exercises are very very strenous and tiring.

He was also very happy to repair my Violin by adjusting the sound pole and to replace my tuning key by removing one and replacing it with another small one at another suitable place so that my left index finger is free from obstructions of playing the required gamakams while playing the R1 and D1 swaras. If you watch his Violin lessons video in Youtube, you will understand what I am talking about.

Coming to the techniques and the methods which he has discovered, I should say that once we get used to those methods, it is really easy for anyone to follow and to proceed further without any guidance.

As a practical way to show that his methods are easy and reliable, he taught me only the Pallavi and only one line in Anupallavi of Natakurinji varnam on the first day of his class. The second day, he didn't even take his Violin out but made me play the entire Varnam on my own just by guiding verbally. So, I would say to every aspirant of Violin that Sharmaji's techinques work for everyone and are easy to follow. If any of you are really willing to learn Violin the proper way, please learn it from Sharmaji.

I also had the previlege of meeting Sharmaji's disciples Rajashekhar, Santhosh(the blind student, who Sharmaji has been referring to, in a few of his comments), Hemarao and Bheemasena. I also saw him teaching a few vocal students.

I would look forward to being with Sharmaji and learning from him as much as possible and ofcourse not to forget, help all those who would like to learn Sharmaji's techniques in whatever way possible.

It was great for me to be with such a learned Vidwan/Teacher yet a very simple, down to earth person who always keeps himself calm and cool with his humour. I am thankful to Sharmaji for all his support and help he gave during my stay and also would be grateful to him forever for his teachings and Violin techniques.

-
Ravi.

venkitagopala
Posts: 5
Joined: 28 Aug 2008, 21:09

Post by venkitagopala »

Playing the violin on stage without feedback/monitor speakers:

(Om sri gurubhyo namaha)

I recently accompanied on the violin a group of singers for a small temple concert. Mikes were provided but no feedback/monitor speakers. I found it difficult to gauge the correctness of my sruthi while accompanying. It was a little better when I was playing the alapana (since mine was the only sound produced) -- but only by a little.

I recorded the concert and on listening later, and found that my playing was not fully in sruthi. Many times, I was close to the correct note, but not perfectly on it.

Is such a difficulty in sruthi suddham common among those beginning to perform on stage? Is there any sadhakam that can be done to overcome this problem?

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Post by msakella »

Dear brother-member, venkitagopala, As per your post you have two problems, while one is of the improper amplification and another is of your alignment with Shruti.

Though many Vocalists may not agree with me, I, as a professional accompanist for more than 4 decades, very well tell that the Violinist has more problems with amplication in the music-concerts and he must get used to bear with any kind of amplification to become a successful accompanist. Not only while accompanying a group of vocalists but also to a single Vocalist you can very conveniently use a Violin-pick-up to have the needed level of amplification. In general, if any Violin accompanist indicates the main-vocalist to have a pick-up for his Violin in the concert the Vocalist falls off from his chair and tries his level best to obstruct the Violinst not to use the pick-up and that becomes his last concert with this Vocalist. In fact, this need not be taken that seriously by the Vocalist as, in general, the Violinists are never used to exceed their limits. In similar conditions I have used pick-up once while accompanying Shri M. Balamuralikrishna and next Shri Nedunuri Krishna Murthy to their satisfaction and that did not become the end to accompany them. Amplification is necessary to improve the sesitivity of your music but not the volume of your instrument. If you mind this and do the needful it never inconveniences the main artist. You try to do this.

Proper Shruti alignment depends upon your acquaintance with your Violin in many aspects and proper Shruti-instrument. There is much to be discussed face to face in this regard and if you speak to me to my ID ‘msakella2002’ either on Yahoo Messenger or Skype either at 7 am or at 8 pm (IST), in general, on any day, we can discuss things in detail. amsharma

venkitagopala
Posts: 5
Joined: 28 Aug 2008, 21:09

Post by venkitagopala »

Dear Sri Sharma Sir,

Thank you very much for your detailed response. I will contact you on skype/yahoo sometime soon.
you have two problems, while one is of the improper amplification and another is of your alignment with Shruti.
The two problems are related -- my sruthi alignment issues are more severe when on stage in front of a mike, due to lack of feedback. Even "easy" notes (that I would play in tune while practising at home) tend to become out of tune when playing in front of a mike.

Since you have had a long experience as an accompanist, I am eager to know how you were able to adapt to playing in such a "feedback-less" environment. Did you have similar problems as mine when you had started performing? In what ways does using a pick-up help in such a situation?

I have observed that even in venues with bad amplification or no monitor speaker, nearly all accompanists are able to play in tune. So probably this is a known but solvable issue.

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Post by msakella »

Dear brother-member, venkitagopala, Even though you look these two problems related I cannot do so as we have to find solutions to solve them differently.
I did never use pick-up for a single-artist except in those two incidents about which I have already written in my previous post. But, if the amplification is not proper, it is desirable to use pick-up only in respect of a group-singing but not in individual-singing. Many a time me too have played in tune even with very bad amplification. As per my experience, the playing Violin Shrutishuddham mostly relies upon the level of acquaintance with very strenuous and regular practice of the instrument on one hand and your level of self-confidence in playing the instrument Shrutishuddham on the other. Unless I discuss with you in person I cannot make it clear. amsharma

venkitagopala
Posts: 5
Joined: 28 Aug 2008, 21:09

Post by venkitagopala »

Dear Sir,

I am grateful to you for sharing your wisdom so generously. I look forward to talking with you one on one tonight. My namaskarams.

ragool
Posts: 6
Joined: 26 Nov 2009, 12:27

Post by ragool »

Dear Sir

I am interested in learning Carnatic violin but do not have time to travel to classes. I seek your advice on whether it is appropriate for an absolute beginner to start learning only by watching your videos? I have some childhood training in guitar so handling and fingering fretboard and strings should not be the same hurdle as for a complete beginner. How do I select a good violin to buy? What is a good price for one today?

Many thanks for your guidance.

Regards
Ragool

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Post by msakella »

Dear brother-member, Ragool, Upto some extent I have experimented upon online Violin-teaching to the aspirants already learnt upto some extent. If you are so particular in learning Karnataka-violin we must discuss things face to face to sort out things. Presently I am very busily engaged in shuffling to outstations and I shall be able to speak to you after 5th January, 2010 if you come online around 7 am or 8 pm (IST) on any day contacting my ID ‘msakella2002’ either on Yahoo Messenger or Skype.
With all best wishes, amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Post by msakella »

Hi all, Previously I have uploaded the video-clippings of the Violin-play of my disciple Chi. O.Rajashekhar to ‘youtube.com/msakella’ in which he played Kalyani-Ata-tala-varna in 116 bpm mostly on A2nd string to inspire the aspirants. Today I have again uploaded the video-clippings of the same person in which he played the following in 120 bpm. amsharma
01.Kalyani - Arohana & Avarohana - 1.srgm pdns rsnd pmgr 2.srgm pdns rgmp dpmg rsnd pmgr 3.srgm pdns rgmp dnsr grsn dpmg rsnd pmgr - on A2nd string.
02. As above on G4th string.
03.Kalyani - Eka-tala-alankara on A2nd string.
04.Kalyani - Rupaka-tala-alanakara on A2nd string.
05.Kalyani - Mathya-tala-alankara on A2nd sting.
06.Kalyani - Dhruva-tala-alankara on A2nd string.
07.Kalyani - Triputa-tala-alankara on A2nd string.
08.Kalyani - Ata-tala-varna - Purvanga - mostly on A2nd string.
09.Kalyani - Ata-tala-varna - Uttaranga - mostly on A2nd string.

balakk
Posts: 130
Joined: 05 Feb 2010, 06:56

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by balakk »

Akella Sir, I saw the first 10 lessons of your Youtube classes. Eye-opening to say the least! I've been playing for a few years, but I'm afraid my technique has been all wrong - no wonder I have major trouble reaching the upper notes.

I have a question on string transitions - is there a convention that you recommend for transitioning from one string to other? I saw in one video that you recommend playing Pa in the Sa string itself, rather playing the free note on the adjacent string.

Is there a convention to follow here? For example, if I have to go up to Nishadam and then descend, is it wise to remain in the Sa string itself? I understand that with expertise, one is able to transition effortlessly without thinking. How does a beginner practice this?

once again, thanks a lot for your wonderful videos. you make it look so simple!

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Dear brother-member, balakk, You can contact my ID, ‘msakella2002’ on Skype, and speak to me in detail to have any doubt cleared in respect of Violin-fingure-techniques. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Our brother-member, raguanu, took great pains in furnishing the details of my Violin recordings uploaded to youtube in a seperate sub-thread ‘Akella Mallikarjuna Sharma’s Violin Demo Videos: compilation’ to be helpful to the aspirants and I always remain thankful to him for the same. As these details are more relevant with this thread ‘Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin’ I am re-posting them hereunder. amsharma

Carnatic Violin: Basics
Holding the violin, bow, fingering etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fzsVnzw9Zc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8eW5cVwbns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mr6jPAdrQ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76RofpxDVM8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Oo12PaW7A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hswcVZhd0Qk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IavgB9-0JwA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifGkbS1EiRk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujX7hPJbIJg

Varnams
Nattakuranji, Adi: "Chalamela" - Srirangam Rangaswamy Nattuvanar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZYlwyEqoEc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUzaigWbVqo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3FAESrW0tU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WIRmbdhke8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cXovTg3rcg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzQRrl25NJg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCshjT8WUMw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DzYgjPzPBE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhNWlRZO8mk Purvangam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QWkhy8XuEs Utharangam

Kambhoji, Adi: "Taruni" - Fiddle Ponnusamy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otoDI8rcMDk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eawRtBqPihA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwWt4AotBVA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yizgf9gQoSk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U21-Mnaupag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTgYuK8cFtw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go6rmNbH6wg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjWUbSzKh00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqiBbdLr61I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGTWPAPitJM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbt6UgfmsfA Purvangam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxdubeVSPxg Utharangam

Darbar, Adi: "Chalamela" - Thiruvotriyur Tyagayyar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCqqpC6qnQQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRfb9c5Ykw4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX0FBwqa-MM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMjxwlJMdWw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od4hy5HPFHw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxqb4dAEj-A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfaY1eXZA00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44pmaZDH0D4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laTraPyA92s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3GxlQQm3jM Purvangam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPUhECZHsQI Utharangam

Shankarabharanam, Adi: "Sami Ninne" - Veena Kuppiyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQu81L14N4Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWVvKewgHiY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMql2QB9UhI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifXWBRp0EYk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqFB06dtbsA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQRw4SaKp-c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpQgmGj-7B0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPZJelt-4mw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhyEw4GoJr4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3El5BTnfatQ Purvangam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5WVOe4UmxE Utharangam

Begada, Adi: "Inta Chalamu" - Veena Kuppiyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMzUBcEsf-I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iJE5GhqOmU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC0CodK2trM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkzAvADK6IY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZUWkxdoH6I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIShou-_SbE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sp5mtATNzY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0lLG7lPYgE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6AwPdvAlRk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IltE7br7OyQ Purvangam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzhDsomaKjA Utharangam

Todi, Adi: "Era Naapai" - Patnam Subramanya Iyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW6I0M7Tcnw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRaKMjEUmZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCWxwIll2k8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci5fEuDFRv4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2bXyN-felE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghgrAJJ66lk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJWUa_6dRxM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPmznOhqiSg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uqLAZlQDyQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtjPthxDtCI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b36o4PZwkhc Purvangam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxo5bBYvxgw Utharangam

Saveri, Adi: "Sarasuda" - Kothavasal Venkatramaiyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsFDwHCvFsc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZkOq3AbLbQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kpky2oL0Og
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZy-CvICkbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG_p0jcmUq8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdY3KSl7KXE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPTy5RsONUA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Har5D0nPOGs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hWMR8qoyfI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlLxX1UDcSY Purvangam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX5mWO0ltFc Utharangam

Kalyani, Adi: "Vanajashiro" - Ramnad Srinivasa Iyengar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmGHgcFeMJE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJsncHUMCww
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsw_4jhILtE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyu_4FayIK4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvwlW0CtN_U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESrL19OsYeE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bangbii-dQk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnE_hAudvzQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYvEWD6DX5c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzN6RhUxIXM Purvangam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acur2FOl-No Utharangam

Bhairavi, Ata: "Viriboni" - Pachimiriam Adiyappaiyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AXULcsBRA8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oHXHYukORA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFumBF00H8I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeZgocArWR4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLS4NvnHo0o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGFTXdoSA70
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wW6ve_oHEs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFjON-GEfZs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WURIiT0K-7w Purvangam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZrxexSQkVQ Utharangam

Swarajati, Bhairavi - Syama Sastri
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DieHPl2LOR8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOqRlOz9K74
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fVIdte2Jkg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzu-Z_YX7Vw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HvkQYI69fY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqfLFWhoWBE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mddvXx2zqgw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOKg8FqQZGM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17fC_V-r1DY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuzspWhWUvU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJhTqHu7bvE

Laya exercises
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX_0fC8UsNw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jeMPtiCLaE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jctteXYGvTY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk5g4JiV2FM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbUjhgqeuEc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85IFouO0Mr4

Student exercises demo (alankaras etc):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgGxRbJ7-PE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07EilTzev6A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXGWT7-tbqs

VK RAMAN
Posts: 5009
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 00:29

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by VK RAMAN »

How do we differentiate between Karnataka violin and Tamil/Malayalam/Telugu violin?

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

As per my knowledge goes, most of the composers of Karnataka music have mainly composed their compositions in Telugu language irrespective of their native State and in the same manner, most of these composers, mostly living in Tamil-nadu (combined Madras State), have very carefully preserved, nourished, developed and propagated much loving the music abundantly even more valuable than their own lives. In that process they have given one kind of accent to the Karnataka music by which its flavour haunts the listeners much. The music of any Vocalist or instrumentalist devoid of this fine accent naturally becomes dull and doesn’t have the required flavour. Thus, basing upon the accent of the music produced by the artist we can vary easily differentiate his/her nativity. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Youtube-video-links of some Violin-playing-exercises are furnished hereunder for the benefit of the aspirants. amsharma

01 AMS Violin Demo Kalyani 3 kinds of Arohana & Avarohana on A2nd string at 120 bpm by O.Rajashekhar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUueblw_QTg

02 AMS Violin Demo Kalyani 3 kinds of Arohana & Avarohana on G4th string at 120 bpm by O.Rajashekhar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGYiMAazqNU

03.AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Eka-tala-alankara at 120 bpm by O.Rajashekhar.MOV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuuYrOpbQf0

04.AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Rupaka-tala-alankara at 120 bpm by O.Rajashekhar.MOV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fsl6iuD-2s

05.AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Mathya-tala-alankara at 120 bpm by O.Rajashekhar.MOV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BHc_iXi2Xs

06.AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Dhruva-tala-alankara at 120 bpm by O.Rajashekhar.MOV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwxRjyND9So

07.AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Triputa-tala-alankara at 120 bpm by O.Rajashekhar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXjrbGuDJqA

08.AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Ata-Varna-Purvanga at 120 bpm by O.Rajashekhar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41yVxzlnse0

09.AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Ata-Varna-Uttaranga at 120 bpm by O.Rajashekhar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QyJ2EKlctA

10.AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Ata-Varna by O Rajashekhar at 116 bpm-Part-1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-qYk1YYUBQ

11.AMS-Violin-Demo-Kalyani-Ata-Varna by O Rajashekhar at 116 bpm-Part-2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL5v5fCGzvI

dukepayen
Posts: 3
Joined: 13 Oct 2012, 13:58

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by dukepayen »

Bindu Subramaniam Dean Singer/Songwriter Bindu Subramaniam is the daughter of world famous violinist Dr. L Subramaniam. In addition to studying carnatic music, she has also learnt western classical singing and piano. Violin Hari teaches carnatic violin at SaPa. Since 2005 he has been learning carnatic violin and music theory from Dr. L Subramaniam. Hari is also a writer, translator, designer and polyglot.

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Dear brother/sister-member, dukepayen, It would have been more relevant, apt and nice had you uploaded the videos of any of the persons mentioned in your post successfully playing the Kalyani-Ata-tala-Varna on Violin mostly on a single-string just like my disciple played in the item Nos. 8 & 9 mentioed above and furnished the respective URLs in your post. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Hi all, In the post 167 of this thread the URL links of 9 videos pertaining to Violin basics are furnished previously. But, recently the 4th one of them is found some modification and, now, this has been modified and replaced and the respective URL is http://youtu.be/1o20nTIAjlw. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Hi, all. While there are two kinds of styles, Gayaki and Vadaki styles, in HIndusthani music, in our Karnataka music, in general, even the instrumentalists follow the vocal-style of playing their instruments to maintain the continuity of sound. In this process, the trinity of our legendry Violinists, M.S.Gopalakrishnan, Lalgudi G.Jayaraman and M.Chandrashekharan, has very efficiently elevated the Violin-play to unparelled heights introducing novel kinds of finger-techniques of their own. Thus, in one way, the year 2012 could very aptly be declared as the golden period in respect of Violin-play of the world music

All these legendry Violinists have very busily been engaged always in increasing their abilities in bringing out the best music or the best compositions or the best playing techniques of their instruments in the process of their self aggrandizement. But, most unfortunately and vary sadly, even though we already have umpteen famous music-organisations and the amazing video-facility is also plentily available since a long time much of their playing techniques of Violin have already been lost by not preserving the videos of them for the educational purpose for the posterity. Even though we have plenty of stalwarts and each one of them performs hundreds of performances and gives lengthy lectures not only in our country but also abroad about different aspects of music very highly, most unfortunately, they all are reluctant to discuss about the methods in teaching in quickening its process utilizing the modern gadgets like CDs or DVDs or mp3 players for the benefit of our kids and their parents in saving their time, energy and money.

As most of the musicians are mainly performers but not truly efficient, honest and reliable teachers and even though I have also not been taught the violin-play in a disciplined manner I had to work as a Violin-teacher for much of my life. In the absence of such reliable Violin-teachers I had to depend only upon the occasional conerts of the great Violinists to see their playing techniques and to experiment them on my own students in turn to learn different lessons in the methods of teaching from them to follow later. Thus, there is no exaggeration if I tell that, in this process, my students only have ultimately become my true teachers.

As any evolution takes its own pace and time, it almost took for more than 30 years to finalise the different finger-techniques to be followed in shaping an aspirant efficient and reliable Violin-accompanist (not soloist) while making the process of either teaching or learning ‘practical-oriented, time-bound and result-oriented’. In this method of teaching the Varnas having different combinations of notes play a very crucial role. I ultimately found that each and every Varna has a logical and well-disciplined way of finger-technique to be followed and that is why I have myself played all these 9 Varnas making them videoed mainly focusing upon the finger-trechniques only and uploaded them long ago to ‘youtube’ for free utilization of the aspirants. Later, to train a blind candidate I have formulated some modern finger-techniques to be practiced both without bow and with bow and he practiced all these exercises for 2 months and could play all these Varnas efficiently within a short span of hardly 10 days by successfully following them. Two years back I have also started initiating an USA based 6 years-old kid, Chi.Nandikeshwaran twice a week by Skype and within a span of hardly 2 years, now, he is able to play not only all these Varnas in full @ 4, 6 & 8-units but also brief Ragalapana and intricate mathematical Svarakalpana for few Kirtanas efficiently.

To be helpful to the aspirants, with an entirely different perspective of passing on these invaluable teaching techniques to the aspirants, I have already uploaded some of these finger techniques long ago in 9 videos under the caption ‘AMS-Violin-lessons’ of ‘youtube.com/user/msakella’. But, now, at this fag of end of my life, even though my physical condition is not allowing me to make videos of all these varieties, I, however, have ventured to make videos of some of them and also to upload them to youtube for free utilization of the aspirants.

In respect of the finger-techniques involved, while mainly only two fingers, pointing and middle-fingers of the left hand, act efficiently in pulling the strings of the Veena, in Violin, all the five fingers of the left hand have to act efficiently moving up and down with a perfect co-ordination among them. Some of these finger-techniques are uploaded now. It is always desirable to practice each one of them continuously for more than 2 or 3 minutes each time vigorously and also in different speeds both without bow and with bow. It is very important to note that moving the fingers of the left-hand up and down in a disciplined way helps the aspirant a lot in getting much co-ordination among these fingers in playing Gamakas efficiently.

For example in the variety ’01.r - g - r - m - g - m - g - m’ the aspirant has to practice this combination not only with both the varieties of Rishabha, Gandhara and Madhyama amounting to 2 x 2 x 2 = 8 varieties but also in different speeds. More over, the aspirant has to practice not only ‘r - g - r - m - g - m - g - m’ but also ‘r - g - r - m - g - m’ and ‘r - m - g - m’ making the combination into segments. This applies to all the respective combinations furnished hereunder. Some of these combinations are furnished hereunder and basing upon the different combinations of notes the aspirant has to to formulate such different combinations for the regular practice.

01. r-g-r-m-g-m-g-m (01.a & b) - http://youtu.be/RKBzke42lZE & http://youtu.be/GA1LMkBF5-s
02. r-g-r-p-m-p-m-p (02.a & b) - http://youtu.be/WrwuNwE54Eg & http://youtu.be/nqXzQ6uslkU
03. r-g-r-d-p-d-p-d (03) - http://youtu.be/IWrLsla2Qfg
04. r-g-r-n-d-n-d-n (04) - http://youtu.be/Knq_FcJtBQI
05. r-g-r-s-n-s-n-s (05) - http://youtu.be/7Je0eKx8qtU
06. r-r-p-m-r-r-p-m (06) - http://youtu.be/5zclFhy79M4
07. r-r-d-p-r-r-d-p (07) - http://youtu.be/2qLpr5v_jnI
08. r-r-n-d-r-r-n-d
09. r-r-s-n-r-r-s-n
10. g-m-g-p-m-p-m-p
11. g-m-g-d-m-d-m-d
12. g-m-g-d-p-d-p-d
13. g-m-g-n-d-n-d-n
14. g-m-g-s-n-s-n-s
15. g-g-p-m-g-g-p-m (08) - http://youtu.be/cIOunRuULsw
16. g-g-d-p-g-g-d-p
17. g-g-n-d-g-g-n-d (09.a & b) - http://youtu.be/ev1t_ODyY_o & http://youtu.be/_eAKYa4cpzQ
18. g-g-s-n-g-g-s-n
19. m-p-m-d-p-d-p-d (10) - http://youtu.be/pkDMaUiK4TE
20. m-p-m-n-d-n-d-n
21. m-p-m-s-n-s-n-s
22. m-m-d-p-m-m-d-p (11) - http://youtu.be/vS3HQcYfzrw
23. m-m-n-d-m-m-n-d
24. m-m-s-n-m-m-s-n (12) - http://youtu.be/YYsAnOTHfT4
25. p-d-p-n-d-n-d-n
26. p-d-p-s-n-s-n-s
27. p-d-p-r-s-r-s-r
28. p-n-p-g-r-g-r-g (13) - http://youtu.be/D31SjcKxEeo
29. p-d-p-m-g-m-g-m
30. p-d-p-p-m-p-m-p
31. d-d-r-s-d-d-r-s (14) - http://youtu.be/gLaJiB84s60
32. d-d-g-r-d-d-g-r (15) - http://youtu.be/-7Stu_Umklk
33. d-d-m-g-d-d-m-g
34. d-d-p-m-d-d-p-m
35. n-n-g-r-n-n-g-r
36. n-n-m-g-n-n-m-g
37. n-n-p-m-n-n-p-m
38. s-r-s-g-r-g-r-g
39. s-r-s-m-g-m-g-m
40. s-r-s-p-m-p-m-p (16) - http://youtu.be/qC_ul1t6SGA
41. s-s-g-r-s-s-g-r
42. s-s-m-g-s-s-m-g
43. s-s-p-m-s-s-p-m

Among the above the numbers furnished in the right extreme are the serial numbers along with their respective URLs of the respective video-files uploaded to the ‘youtube’. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Hi all, Today I have uploaded four Violin-videos played by the 8-year old kid Chi. Nandikeshwaran to the playlist ‘AMS-Kids’ singing or playing Varnas and Kritis’ of ‘youtube’. He, being a resident of US, on his recent visit to India gave a 45 mts. mini-concert on 14-07-2013 at Hyderabad under the auspices of our ‘Sampradaya’.

He had started learning Karnataka Vocal from 01-06-2011 from me and later, having some acquaintance with Western system of Violin-play, started learning Karnataka Violin from 14-10-2011 twice a week on Skype. As his father also had learnt vocal music he had helped him in many ways in his learning. In which way I have already quickened the process of learning Vocal I have also made umpteen experiments and brought out some novel finger-techniques in intiating the kids in learning this instrument. I have initiated him in playing these finger-techniques both without bow and with bow and within the span of hardly 2 years, now, he is able to play both the Purvanga and Uttaranga of all the 9-Varnas @ 4, 6 & 8-notes and Kritis in all the 6 popular Talas along with brief Ragalapana and intricate mathematical Svarakalpana. The items of the concert along with their respective URLs are funished hereunder. amsharma

01.Eranapai-Todi-Adi-Varnam- http://youtu.be/-BJPCU-ygWw
02.Gam Ganapathe-Hamsadhwani-Trisra Adi- http://youtu.be/HPfFLEup9MU
03.Evarura-Mohana-Chapu- http://youtu.be/BsBpxb0ZQak
04.English Note- http://youtu.be/6teCJ_l0aWs

tanyaroy
Posts: 5
Joined: 02 Sep 2013, 12:56

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by tanyaroy »

Is learning the Karnataka violin more difficult than the normal one?

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Musical instruments with frets are easier to learn in the beginning as the learner can conveniently rely upon these frets while keeping his/her finger at the places of the respective notes upon the string. But, in respect of the instruments without these frets, the aspirant cannot keep his /her finger in the proper places of the respective notes unless he acquires the respective knowledge of the note prior to his/her learning the instrument. Thus, this fret-less instrument, Violin is more difficult to deal with.

More over, all the music-teachers, without thinking themselves that a machine like the Casio is always more perfect than them in respect of both the rhythm and the pure note, are used to teach their notes with all the oscillations to their aspirants right from the beginning by which it takes lot of time to get the knowledge of a pure note.

In almost all our Karnataka or South Indian music-concerts, as the Violin has become an indispensable accompaniment, many are preferring to take up this instrument for their livelihood. Thus, the number of Violinists is increasing gradually and, irrespective of their standards, each and every Violinst has been able to get on with hes/her concerts.

More over, to tell the fact, even though we already have legendary Violinists in our South Indian music, their intricate finger-techniques have not been spread to many aspirants, as they all are professional performers always striving hard only for their self aggrandizement but not to teach them. At the same time neither the music-lovers nor the organizations have ever cared to preserve their rare finger techniques making videos for educational purpose.

Like all the above there are many points to be discussed at length by the interested people like you. But, as many people are interested only in gathering the respective information but not in sincerely doing the needful in such matters, many of our aspirants are not able to come up as successful Violinists.

However, if the Violin-teachers sincerely follow a logical approach in teaching the different finger techniques of this instrument, though not the music, we can certainly produce talented Violinists. Only to prove this I, being the follower of Late M.S.Gopalakrishnan, the ever Great Violinist of this century, have trained my disciple, Chi. O.Rajashekhar, in playing the Kalyani-Ata-Varna @ 120 speed bpm on a single string which is available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41yVxzlnse0 & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QyJ2EKlctA. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Today I have uploaded two Varnas in Adi-tala and in Kambhoji and Natakuranji ragas played on Violin by 9 yrs. old Chi. Rishabh Ranganathan (alias Nandikeshwaran of US) @ 4-6-8 units to Youtube and the respective URLs are also furnished hereunder for the benefit of the aspirants. amsharma

Khambhoji Varnam Purvanga (90 speed, 4-6-8)
http://youtu.be/iaP4jrdO4Lc

Khambhoji Varnam Uttaranga (90 speed, 4-6-8)
http://youtu.be/1fee_PKhfuE

Natakuranji-Purvangam-

http://youtu.be/bVHsLfbId1g

Natajkuranji-Uttarangam -

http://youtu.be/jAvqVzxjISM

vasanthakokilam
Posts: 10956
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 00:01

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by vasanthakokilam »

Excellent.

I can hear the lineage in a few places: MSG->Akellaji->Rishab

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Dear brother-member, vasanthakokilam, Thank you for your kind and sincere appreciation.

I teach every one of my disciples in the same manner. But, if one of them could do well that is his/her ability only. In this manner Chi. Rishabh could do well far more than of his tender age with the incessant vigil of his father, Chi.Ranganathan and I must congratulate both of them.

In fact, all our musicians are much bothered about their self-aggrandisement only either in the manner as performer or composer or trend-setter etc.,etc. But, when it comes to passing on the actual legacy through our disciples, I found that nobody, instrumentalists in particular, is justifying it except in case of their own kith and kin. That is why, from the beginning, I did not teach any of my three sons but my outside disciples only. Thus, I could make my disciples, Chi. O.Rajashekhar, Chi. Vinay Rahul, Chi. Rishabh etc., follow this legacy by playing even the Varnas on a single string, at the least, in this technique. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Today a video in which my disciple, 9 year old Chi. Rishabh Ranganathan (USA) had played a composition on Violin at Shri Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha, Chennai on 27-12-2013 (http://youtu.be/HW1km-mHYjM) is uploaded for the benefit of the aspirants.

Anybody who learns music aspires to become a famous singer or player and by that to earn every thing of his life. But, due to so many reasons many of them are compelled to settle as music-teachers only though they themselves are not aware that they are not at all fit even to teach. In music, in the absence of any yardstick, it is very difficult to asses the level of knowledge of any person to select him/her as the teacher or level of the lesson taught to the aspirant or level of the lesson learnt by the aspirant. Unfortunately, while this kind of very defective system has been evolved by our ancestors for the benefit of our kids and their parents none of the musicians are aware of the harm it did till now to our country or culture. For me, even at this old age of 75 years, as a sincere teacher, this remains as a heartrending issue.

While even most of the professional performers are not fit to teach, each and every performer thinks himself/herself as the best teacher and resorts to teaching also. Not only a common man but even a performer is not aware of the difference between a performer and a teacher as, nowadays, all the teachers are only performers but not true teachers at all. Had any one of them been a true teacher he/ she would certainly have successfully trained his aspirant in all the needed technicalities of music within the duration of not more than 4 or 5 years and uploaded the respective video of his/her disciple to ‘Youtube’ long ago as per my long pending appeal. This itself obviously reveals that none of them is a true teacher. Any music teacher, posing as a great saviour of our music, very conveniently turns a deaf ear to my statements and very simply keeps quiet but could never become able to answer my logical questions.

In which way no stadardised methods in teaching/learning music have ever been established, in the same way, no methods even for the selection of a music-teacher also have ever been standardized. By all this, at last, even in the absence of a genuine music-teacher-training-institutute on the globe, only the performing abilities of the candidates are tested by these performing-judges and the successful performers only are always appointed as music-teachers ultimately leading to a chaotic condition to the poor aspirants in the educational institutions. Surprisingly, since many years, nobody is even aware of this plight of the poor aspirants in this respect. Thus, evey musician is more of performer’s perspective and far lesser of teacher’s perspective becoming more harmful than helpfull to the poor aspirants. Believe it or not, this I have realized only after 5 years after my retirement as music-teacher and Principal.

In the absence of the true knowledge to truthfully serve as a teacher, these performers are not at all aware that they are acting contrarily only to the interests of this poor aspirants. This is a very pitiable state of affairs wantonly driving the ignorant aspirants into heartrending suicidal effects.

For example if we take Chi. Rishabh’s case, I do not know on whose initiation his father Chi. Ranganathan approached me, but he abruptly made a phone call from USA and requested me to teach vocal to his son when he just completed 6 years of age. Thus, he started learning vocal attending two classes in a week on Skype starting from 01-06-2011. Later, after four months, his father again requested me to teach him violin also. In fact, though vocal can be taught by Skype upto some extent, it is not desirable to teach violin by skype as various finger-techniques are involved in violin-teaching. But, when his father told me that his son had already learnt western system of violin-play, I readily agreed to teach him taking advantage of the very highly disciplined western techniques of violin. Thus, he started learning violin from 14-10-2011 when he just entered into 7 years of age.

Only by the grace of the Almighty, having been in the process of evolution of the easy methods in teaching then I was making some experiments in teaching violin also. Thus, I have already made a blind violinist successfully and efficiently play all the 9 Varnas within a short duratioin of 6 months with all the required Gamakas on par with other non-blind violinists. On these same lines when I have trained Chi. Rishabh also he also proceded further very quickly and efficiently. More over, yearly once or twice, when he came to India either to Hyderbad or Chennai, I had also trained him in different finger-techniques for around a week each time face to face. Thus, by the grace of the Almighty, as he could learn very quickly and efficiently in this qualitative method he could play even a mini-concert of 45 mts., in Sri Parthasarathyswamy Sabha, Chennai on 27-12-2013 (the URL of which is furnished above) and even became the USA Carnatic Idol of his age-group. Hardwork of Chi. Rishabh, the affectionate encouragement of his parents and my vigilant supervision as a guide brought this success. Mainly this is the success of the system and the apirant only. Had he gone to any other teacher of quantitative method, he would have become able to play or sing the same only after 15 or 20 years at his age of around 21 years as per the traditional elongation of the process.

For example, in general, if we take the plight of our violin aspirants in respect of obtaining the respective knowledge of different finger-techniques, they are unable to find them as all our legends or maestros or experts of Violin always strived hard only for their self-aggrandisement but none of them ever tried to preserve their great finger-techniques by making relevant videos of them for educational purpose to the posterity. Even though our great legendary Violinists have become the beacon lights of Violin-world I feel very sad to tell that we have lost most of their invaluable finger-techniques due to their sheer negiligence towards our future aspirants. To tell the truth, in the absence of the teacher’s perspective, pitiably enough they could not pass on their great specialised-finger-tecniques even to their own kith and kin or their direct disciples. This has undoubtedly been proved by going through the hundreds of their audio-recordings. IS THIS NOT THE CRIMINAL LOSS OF OUR GREAT MUSICAL-WEALTH? More over, unlike in vocal where no finger-tecniques are involved at all, in respect of violin, as it has its own place in the concert arena or in respect of the involvement of various finger-techniques, videos made for the educational pupose highlighting the different finger-techniques play a very important role in building up a powerful generation of great violinists. Only to fulfill this void, I had to strive hard at my own level to bring out several videos of Varna-playing etc., and to upload them to ‘youtube.com/user/msakella’ for the benefit of our poor aspirants.

Even in our Chennai, the greatest centre of our Carnatic music, since many centuries everybody is more interested in listening to the best music and also in appreciating it. For this purpose only they all have strived hard in recording thousands of vocal-concerts but not even handful of recordings of instrumentalists for educatioinal purpose. In the same manner, hundreds of music-concerts only are being arranged in one way or the other like Radio or Telecasting or Webcasting, but not even one-fourth of them are utilized for educatioinal purpose for the benefit of our kids. In fact, in my serious observation, I have ultimately found that all the aspirants in Chennai are mostly benefited by regularly attending and listening to the numerous concerts only but not by the teachers’ efforts at all as they all are singers or players only but not true teachers.

In the same manner, while the compositioins written in detailed notation and supplied along with the pre-recorded CDs containing the same notations help all the music aspirants a lot, most unfortunately, these things have never been made accessible and available to our aspirants in any of our music institutions or music departments as all these book-writers are performers only but not teachers at all. Again to fill in this void I have struggled a lot at my own level in bringing out four books, AMS Easy Methods-2007 in teaching/learning music, Sangita Svararaga Sudha, Sangita Vidyabodhini and Sangita Vidyalochani all with notations and supplied along with pre-recorded CDs.

Right from the beginning having also worked as a teacher and by the grace of the Almighty having that kind of bent of mind also I had struggled hard at my own level to make such videos for the educational purpose of the aspirants and to keep them for free-usage in ‘youtube’ for the benefit of the aspirants all over the globe. But, unfortunately, while none of our musicians is ready to do such helpful acts for the benefit of our kids many of them are readily utilizing them in one way or the other for their own benefit.

If our great legends, maestros and experts do not feel their duties and responsibilities and do the needful towards our society what and how much a common man like me can alone do to our great and large society I cannot understand?

As told by many that ‘lady is the enemy to all ladies’, I can give umpteen examples which prove that ‘musicians are the real enemies of our music than others’. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Nearly 10 years back one Violin-aspirant asked me whether he could get any videos of the Violin-trinity, MSG-Lalgudi-Chandrashekharan which facilitate him to learn Varnas by following them. By this I felt extremely unhappy of it and was compelled to tell him that not even a single video of any one of them made for the educational purpose is available to facilitate him to learn Varnas.

Particularly, in respect of Violin even though it was imported from western countries, our South Indians predominantly used it mainly for accompaniment in our music concerts. In this process many persons worked hard in finding several new techniques to make it more suitable for the purpose. Among them Shri M.S.Gopalakrishnan, Shri Lalgudi G.Jayaraman and Shri M. Chandrashekharan stand far above all others as trend-setters in the history of Violin having introduced numerous new techniques in Violin-playing. Having a little acquaintance with Shri MSG, with his blessings, I was able to follow very few of his Violin-playing techniques (once he very kindly allowed me even to accompany him on Violin on 09-04-1974 in his Solo-concert at Hyderabad). To properly equip myself with more efficiency I have also followed the audio-recordings and could grasp some of the techniques of Shri Lalgudi too.

Having accompanied all the stalwarts of Carnatic music all over the globe in thousands of their concerts this Violin-trinity successfully acquired the full knowledge of all of them. In particular, in respect of Ragalapana, I sincerely feel that their renditions are the ultimate in respect of any Raga. That is why I have cut all their Raga-renditions from the audio-recordings of all their Solo or accompanying concerts and given them to my disciples to follow them.

In fact, who ever learns music always prefers to mostly perform and shine well. More over, as the music environment at Chennai is at very high level always all the aspirants there mostly develop the performer’s perspective far more than the teacher’s perspective to avail the opportunities in becoming successful performers. However, due to so many other reasons many will be compelled to settle as teachers despite their inabilities in teaching which they themselves are not aware of. Even this Violin-trinity was always engaged in developing their performing techniques far more than the teaching techniques. Accordingly, none of them ever found time even to think of preserving their rare and invaluable techniques of Violin-play to the posterity. However, their kith and kin somehow managed to learn some of their techniques basing upon their individual abilities.

In the field of Carnatic music, in general, Vocal musicians are always used to dominate the field much and accordingly, in Chennai, not only in musicians but also either in the music-listeners or in music-lovers or in institutions everybody gives preference to Vocal only and none of them ever thinks that instrumental-aspirants very much need the videos of the stalwarts mostly focusing upon their finger-techniques to follow them. But, most of them strived hard only to preserve hundreds of audio-recordings of the music-concerts but none had ever cared to make videos of the rare finger-techniques of the instrumentalists for educational purpose and preserve them for the posterity. Thus, very sadly, we all have lost the invaluable treasure of rare finger-techniques of Violin-play of the Trinity for ever and nobody even feels bad for this.

Very importantly, while dealing with the crucial Varnas Shri MSG and Shri Lalgudi followed entirely different techniques. While Shri MSG was used to play mostly on a single string Shri Lalgudi was used to play on all the strings. Among them each one has its own effect and difficulty too in following them. By going through many of the audio-recordings of Shri Lalgudi I have arrived at some specific finger-techniques of Violin-play which pave way to produce our traditional Carnatic music with high efficiency and also to increase the aspirant’s abilities abundantly. All these things have undoubtedly been proved in my extensive research in this respect. To efficiently follow them, basing upon certain logic and rationale, I have formulated some new finger-exercises to be practiced with and without bow too. By practicing them along with the different varieties in playing Varnas in these two different finger-techniques aspirants are becoming able to get reasonable control over the instrument in a very short time. By following these finger-techniques the kids are able to learn up to 9 select Varnas very efficiently and very quickly. Later, by regularly practicing them in different kinds along with several rhythmical and musical exercises they are becoming able to play even intricate Swarakalpana and brief Ragalapana for a few Kritis learning them on their own hardly within a span of 3 or 4 years unbelievably. In the same manner 9 years old Chi. Rishabh Ranganathan of USA has been trained and also won the first prize in a competition held there very recently.

To make these techniques of playing Varnas accessible to our aspirants I have myself played all these 9 select Varnas segment-wise for each of the Pallavi, Anupallavi, Muktayi-swara, Charana and all Ettugada-swaras in separate and independent video-files mainly focusing on the finger movements only to facilitate the aspirants follow and learn easily. In this process I have also uploaded some Violin-lessons and exercises with and without bow for the first time in the history to ‘youtube.com/user/msakella’ for the free utilization of the aspirants all over the globe. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Yesterday in USA my disciple Chi. Rishabh Ranganathan (just 9 years completed) had played a mini-Karnatak-violin-concert of 38 mts. He was accompanied by another kid Chi. Arjun Ramachandran on Mridangam. In general, many considerations must be given to all the kids when they give such music-concerts as music is the only invisible fine-art on the earth. The concert went on very well and both the kids did beyond their capacities. In fact, they can do still better if they practice together for some more time. They certainly deserve all the appreciations.

To tell the fact, Chi. Rishabh started Vocal from 01-06-2011 and Violin from 14-10-2011 learning from me weekly twice by Skype. I have taught him in my novel method in a time-bound process. Even within the span of hardly 2 years he had shown tremendous progress. Even though I always teach in the same manner to any aspirant if the aspirant shows such tremendous progress the credit must go to the logical and ratioinal system of teaching, the aspirant for his hard work and the parents as they always remain with the aspirant much of the time doing everything in his favour. In this affair I am only a guide vigilantly following him through Skype to always keep him in on track and possibly obstruct him to go off-track.

I hereunder give the URLs of youtube of this concert for the benefit of the aspirants. amsharma

01.Mamavasadajanani-Kanada-Rupakam - http://youtu.be/99sdodNiGsc

02.Sarasijanabhamurare-Todi-Chapu - http://youtu.be/yJkUQvkESMs

03.Geetadhuniku-Dhanasri-Adi-Tillana - http://youtu.be/iB6N1xsca4M

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Today I have uploaded two Violin-videos played by my disciple Chi. O.Rajashekhar to youtube to the play-list 'AMS-Disciple Chi. O.Rajashekhar's Violin Demos' for the benefit of the Violin-aspirants.

He played ‘Sarasuda-Saveri-Adi-Varna’ on the 4th string only making the Shuddha-madhyama as Shadja.

This is one kind of playing the Varna on a single string of the Violin. In particular, this is followed in MSG’s style of Violin-playing only. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

I hereunder furnish the respective urls of the Violin-concert of 10 yr. old Chi. Rishabh Ranganathan (USA), played on 23-12-2014 at Shri Parthasarathyswamy Sabha, Chennai for the benefit of the aspirants.

Even though I have always been used to teach Vocal or Violin in the same manner basing upon the novel and logical methods in learning to any of my disciples they will flourish much basing upon their own hard work and the encouragement given by their parents like in the case of Chi.Rishabh.

Enjoy the concert. amsharma

http://youtu.be/RV09LpP4-LU
http://youtu.be/4d-uI2ODtFY
http://youtu.be/dyPACcsPZpA
http://youtu.be/rcJezeSlXTw
http://youtu.be/xV4-4ADABT8

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

We can bring out many shapes out of a soft mud and also disturb them to change the shape again every time. But, if the mud hardens we cannot do so. In the same manner it is very easy to properly initiate a little kid of below 10 years of age with a clean-slate in all these things than an elder. But, very sadly, the elders are not ready to realize this fact.

To make the kid properly understand and follow the different oscillation of our notes I, without singing or playing the violin myself and ask the kid follow me as per this modern system, initiate the kid in learning by playing some select exercises and items in a particular seriatim. By doing so he/she very easily, quickly and efficiently moves forward unlike an elder.

Only to serve this purpose I have brought out more than 60 symbols along with the detailed notation and the audio-file, for the first time in the history. All our kids are able to understand and follow them very easily, quickly and efficiently as I demonstrate them in person if needed. In the absence of such demonstrations it may be difficult to follow them for elders in this performance-oriented fine-art.

Interested aspirants can come on Skype (msakella2002) for proper guidance, if needed. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

In the olden days, in the absence of any reliable sound-recording or reproducing gadgets, the aspirant was compelled to depend upon others to listen to or learn music. Unfortunately, this paved way to perennially make the poor aspirant dependent upon the so called Gurus elongating the process for many years as the teacher likes.

But, even after the invention of such gadgets there is no change in the process of learning as such change very drastically reduces both the importance and income of the teacher. However, keeping the plight of the poor aspirants and their parents I have made extensive experiments upon these methods in learning music and, ultimately, brought out several videos containing different exercises for the benefit of the aspirants which are being followed by the honest and efficient teachers only. Thus, since last two years, I have initiated my student, Chi. Padmini Gopinath (USA), weekly twice by Skype in playing them even without playing myself on Violin at all. This kind of deeds only give me abundant pleasure and satisfaction at this fag end of my life.

As a part of it, now, I have uploaded two groups of them to youtube and furnished the respective urls hereunder for the benefit of the Violin-aspirants all over the globe. amsharma

Group-1:

1. 20161121_AMS_Padmini Gopinath_4th string_r and g - https://youtu.be/LJAhDuVT_fI

2. 20161121_AMS_Padmini Gopinath_4th string_r and m - https://youtu.be/nElOYGczL0g

3. 20161121_AMS_Padmini Gopinath_3rd string_d and rs - https://youtu.be/BI4Up_WgV9E

4. 20161121_AMS_Padmini Gopinath_3rd string_d and n - https://youtu.be/4fIAYmxwqwU

5. 20161121_AMS_Padmini Gopinath_2nd string_r and m - https://youtu.be/YEF1BUM1URI

6. 20161121_AMS_Padmini Gopinath_2nd string_r and g - https://youtu.be/oSBQrsDdGmg

7. 20161121_AMS_Padmini Gopinath_1st string_d and rs - https://youtu.be/GR-VnLTy1Y4

8. 20161121_AMS_Padmini Gopinath_1st string_d and n - https://youtu.be/pZ46tm6He1s

Group-2:

1. 20161227 AMS Padmini Gopinath 1st string N and M - https://youtu.be/Dg2rYB-U68g

2. 20161227 AMS Padmini Gopinath 1st string N and G - https://youtu.be/Z3JZoDxEbKc

3. 20161227 AMS Padmini Gopinath 1st string N and P - https://youtu.be/viHkOlo4NCg

4. 20161227 AMS Padmini Gopinath 1st string N and R - https://youtu.be/evP1RGOLp-g

5. 20161227 AMS Padmini Gopinath 2nd string G and S - https://youtu.be/VbsVz8QuqCU

6. 20161227 AMS Padmini Gopinath 2nd string G and N - https://youtu.be/Qjf_AOm4GBc

7. 20161227 AMS Padmini Gopinath 2nd string G and M - https://youtu.be/-UepHaZ1M74

8. 20161227 AMS Padmini Gopinath 2nd string G and P - https://youtu.be/P9_atO1k13s

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

In continuation to the 185th post of this thread, now, I hereunder furnish the urls of some of the concerts in which Chi. Rishabh Ranganathan, 12 years old resident of USA, had very ably accompanied in the last Chennai December season for the benefit of the aspirants. Among them not only Chi. Rishabh but Chi. Chitramurthy also is my disciple. amsharma

Sri Balasubramanya - Bilahari, Misra chapu (Chithra Murthy, Rishabh & Sudarshan)
https://youtu.be/PMPOf6h3yjY

Sogasuga - Sriranjani, Adi (Rupa, Rishabh, Karun)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHQpJp6tyb0

Sri Valli - Natabhairavi, Adi (Kamaladepthi, Rishabh & Santhosh)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-mDIxQ79lc

Srinivasa - Hamsanandhi (Kamaladeepthi, Rishabh & Santhosh)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LePagmOv-mQ

Venugana - Kedaragowla (Vishwesh, Rishabh & Kishore)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC86RlLXSrU

SrividyaC
Posts: 25
Joined: 08 Sep 2018, 00:44

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by SrividyaC »

Dear guruji
Koti koti pranaams and thank you so so much for such indepth and painstaking efforts that you've undertaken. My heartfelt gratitude to you by luck i have found such a treasure of lessons here. Will definitely practice as you've mentioned. I'm residing currently in texas usa. I have just seen first 2 posts , will take a long time to read the threads and follow the instructions in the posts but i'll do my best and practice.
Namaskarams
Srividya

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Dear sister-member, SrividyaC,

Gone through your post and felt happy to know that my Videos and posts are helping the aspirants properly.

If you need any help in this respect you can even talk to my mobile No. 9908822992 or through my Skype ID msakella2002. amsharma

SrividyaC
Posts: 25
Joined: 08 Sep 2018, 00:44

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by SrividyaC »

Thank you so much guruji for your response and giving me your contact. I'll definitely contact you soon. I'm starting with the laya exercises and refining my violin holding, bowing and fingering technique as you've shown in the violin basics videos and the laya exercise practices. I have contacted m.ramana@gmail.com to get your book. So far i never came across such detailed and orderly list of practices. I want to do justice to all the indepth data by doing a good practice. Please give me sometime to practice and upload the youtube videos (so you can review and give ur comment) and then i'll soon contact you. Thank you sir for all your efforts. I feel blessed to have come across it.
Srividya

SrividyaC
Posts: 25
Joined: 08 Sep 2018, 00:44

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by SrividyaC »

Dear sir
I just finished reading the entire thread and am very motivated and energized to practice and refine my technique seeing all the videos you've shared. It is very eye-opening to read your philosophy that you've shared in the posts along with knowledge about music and violin play. Its changed my view of the violin and practice completely. Thank you for all you're doing sir.
Srividya

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

For the Violinists of Karnataka music, as they are mostly used to accompany somebody or other, they all need very regular and strenuous practice of the instrument to enable them to accompany successfully. To tell the fact, such strenuous excersices are available only in MSG’s style of Violin-play. Eventhough I did not learn direct from this Giant I have been observing, following and practicing different kinds of exercises in the regular practice of the instrument since many years and training many kids on these lines of practice. Some of the videos in which my disciples played some of these exercises are kept in the playlists of ‘youtube.com/user/msakella’ for the ready reference of the aspirants. Now, I hereunder furnish some of their urls also for the benefit of the aspirants. amsharma

https://youtu.be/9loyBr-imGU
https://youtu.be/_YL2X4G_3wA
https://youtu.be/zBs287P14Fw
https://youtu.be/5Oz-lZD6ngU

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Always, in any subject, the learning process starts with imitating another person in that subject. Any kid starts learning things by observing the movements of his/her parents, brothers, sisters and elders. While learning even the alphabets he/she repeatedly writes upon the letters already written by others and thus, imitation is the very first step of learning.

But, most unfortunately, in music, in keeping the aspirant perennially dependant upon the so called GURU, our egoistic, conservative and selfish teachers formulated a very illogical system in which the aspirant, without writing anything on the paper, must follow the teacher face to face in listening to and singing music. In this process, they also coined a name, “Manodharmam’ in 1940 for this grammatical points and declared that this should neither be written nor taught nor learnt but could be obtained by vigorous and regular practice only which elongates the process for many years to come. But none of these teachers could tell what loss the aspirant has to incur if these things are written on a paper. But, my extensive expenriments in this respect obviously revealed that, like the list of clothes to be given to the washerman or the bank account, all the details must be noted down to avoid any loss. For example, if we want to celebrate the marriage of our family member, by making a list of things to be attended, we can come to know if anything is missing from that list which facilitates to include them in that list and attend them without fail. In the same manner, even in music, by serially writing the sangatis of a Raga or the patterns of Swarakalpana we can come to know what we forgot to include either in Ragalapana or Swarakalapana. Moreover, the process of learning which is wantonly elongated for more than 10 years or even more by not writing these details has very surprisingly been reduced to a couple of years only by writing the details of Ragalapana and Swarakalpana.

Now, the link of the video is furnished hereunder in which my 13 yrs. old disciple, Chi. T.P.Gopalakrishna, who residing in Vishakhapatnam has been learning Violin mostly by telephone in the “Akella’s method of learning music” since 20180215 had fulfilled the learning of 9 select Varnas both in Chaturashra & Trisra-gatis and now played ‘Ammaravamma-Kalyani-Trisra-rupaka-Kriti’ along with Ragalapana and both creative and mathematical Swarakalpana in the 2nd degree for 1-unit gap. amsharma

https://youtu.be/fDWkWsUjQvo

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

EFFICIENT & HONEST MUSIC-TEACHER

Post by msakella »

As per our history, Guru, Sonthi Venkataramanaiah of Thyagaraja taught him music for one year only. I have made extensive research on this and only by God's grace found a very logical, time bound and result oriented system of learning music which I have been following both for teaching Vocal and Violin since last more than 10 years and getting amazing results unlike any other music-teacher on the globe. But, most unfortunately, without following this highly logical and beneficial system both for the students and the parents alike, the highly egoistic and selfish music-performers who are of performing perspective only but not of teaching perspective, brought out a time, energy and money wasting and highly illogical system of teaching music which has been used till date. Those who can lavishly waste their time, energy and money can as well follow this old method but who cannot do so can only follow very strictly this following system of learning to their kids.

Any efficient and honest musician more of teaching perspective than of performing perspective can only follow this logical, time bound and result-oriented system of learning music in which singing of creative music like Svarakalpana and Ragalapana is the criteria but not learning a number of compositions for many years. In this system while the role of the teacher is less than 5% the students' role is more than 95% and while the Vocal-student will become able to sing Svarakalpana in all the six popular Talas hardly within only one year and the Violin-student will become able to do this hardly within only two years even before learning the first Kriti (but all our present teachers all over the globe very sadly elongate this process of learning for many years to earn more money).

The efficient and honest teacher makes the average Vocal-student ably sings 6 or 8 Sarala-svaras, 3 or 4 Janta-svaras, 2 or 3 Datu-svaras, 7 Alankaras and 5 Gitas and only one Svara-pallavi within the first couple of months and simultaneously starts the basics of Svarakalpana along with select Varnas (not the Varnas in Mohana or Hamsadhvani at all). In this process, within the first six months the kid becomes able to sing Svarakalpana in all the six popular Talas even before learning the first Kriti on his/her own.

Interested persons can be vigilant by verifying the progress of their kids and others can very conveniently turn a deaf ear. amsharma 9908822992

Pratyaksham Bala
Posts: 4164
Joined: 21 May 2010, 16:57

Re: EFFICIENT & HONEST MUSIC-TEACHER

Post by Pratyaksham Bala »

Mods:
This may be shifted to: 'AMS Easy Methods 2007 CD - Teaching and Learning Methods' under 'Beginners Q&A - Learning area'.

RasikasModerator2
Posts: 151
Joined: 27 Aug 2018, 21:02

Re: EFFICIENT & HONEST MUSIC-TEACHER

Post by RasikasModerator2 »

Akella garu, you have already posted this in learning section. We are moving it.

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Ok, thank you. As it is more relevant to keep it in AMS Easy Methods 2007 CD kindly try to move it to AMS Easy Methods 2007 CD, if possible. amsharma

msakella
Posts: 2127
Joined: 30 Sep 2006, 21:16

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by msakella »

Post No.195 is one of the best posts in teaching area.
But,very sadly everybody turned his blind eye or his deaf ear or both simultaneously since last one year.
Are all these members of this forum have become so blind or so deaf or a mixture of both and highly insensitive? Are they all humans???

There is every scope of a very vital discussion to bring out the facts which will save the invaluable time, energy and money of the poor aspirant and keep him always on the right and bright track.

The music students who start learning varnas with Mohara or Himsadhvani certainly have a ruined liife in music. The teacher who starts varnas in these two ragas (redacted by admin) than feeding them with these two horrible varnas.

This itself is the greatest proof at which high level illogicality reigns our teaching/cheating system and how much blind, iron hearted, irresponsible, unresponsive, foolish all our musicians and music-teachers are. But, nobody bothers about this tragedy..

Is this a responsible society to live in???

Are. they human beings living in this society?

Are all they so insensible???

Am I also not a cheater, hypocrite, rogue, traitor, crook and so on living along with all of them???

Being a teacher it is better to commit suicide immediately than very mercilessly and horribly killing our own innocent kid-aspirants.

Further i cannot continue at all to write in this horrible mannar. Hereafter I don't logout but possibly remain writing the barest facts like this. If you all want to save yourself from all these barest facts remove me immediately from this insensible forum.

While writing all this i was practically weeping a lot for more than 10 mts. you may not believe me!!!
msakella

This post itself is a proof that all these members of this forum are so insensitive that they all can very mercilessly kill their own kids. msakella
Last edited by msakella on 13 Apr 2021, 05:42, edited 1 time in total.

Pratyaksham Bala
Posts: 4164
Joined: 21 May 2010, 16:57

Re: Teaching/Learning Karnataka Violin

Post by Pratyaksham Bala »

OMG! Not again!
msakella wrote: 13 Apr 2021, 05:02
Are all these members of this forum have become so blind or so deaf or a mixture of both and highly insensitive? Are they all humans???

The teacher who starts varnas in these two ragas (redacted).
Last edited by Pratyaksham Bala on 13 Apr 2021, 06:12, edited 1 time in total.

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