Tips for playing veenai

[ajaysimha]

Hi friends I created this thread to gather few tips regarding veena
Playing, practicing also a few anecdotes and some methods where it can beneficial to us.

1.i have heard that veena should be practiced in morning hours
and played in evening as an offering to god
(The evening's playing is traced backed to Veda period where men recited Vedas and women played veena in the evening)
2.veena should be played in grahana kalam
(So we can get beneficial powers at that period)
Info. From e.gayathri's blog.

Would share some in upcoming days

[Sundara Rajan]

Both of the above belong to the long list of superstitions held by many. Practice at any time you can without disturbing the others !

[ajaysimha]

Yeah I feel the same thing.
But I was hearing / reading it for the first time ..... so thought of sharing....
But I myself belive in practice that cannot be substituted

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Being able to play well in a well-tuned Veena is YOGA in itself.
Something to be experienced.

[ajaysimha]

Can anybody shed some light on tuning veena rightly.....
Because some times we play in d,d# or e or f,f#........depending up on climate
Some time veenai becomes out of tune in summer or winters....

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Can anybody shed some light on tuning veena rightly.....
Because some times we play in d,d# or e or f,f#........depending up on climate
Some time veenai becomes out of tune in summer or winters....

You've to actually see/study how it is done.
Google Gurus have limitations.
Approach a Vainika.

[ajaysimha]

You've to actually see/study how it is done.
Google Gurus have limitations.
Approach a Vainika.

Ya sure

[ajaysimha]

how to play veena during practice session ?
the reason I asked this was ,
as my daily routine I practice veena for 2 hrs(+/-) and after 1.5 hrs end up in getting "bored/aching finger-tips" ending my practice.

as the bala patham taught by my guru i practice in such a way:
1.warm up: --->5 mins
(basic stringing and s-p-S)

2.swaravali: --->30 mins
(saralai, janti, dhatu, tharastayi, mandrastayi)

3.alankaram: --->15mins
(saptha thalas)

4.geethams: --->30mins
(12 geethams including pillari, sanchari and lakshana)

5.swarajathi/jathiswara: --->45mins
(2 swarajathi + 2 jathiswara)

finally i get "bored/aching finger-tips", above 1.5hrs and cannot practice newer lessons
how do I over come this ? any suggestions/Tips ?

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Wow! That's a fine practice plan.
*.Ensure the Veena is perfectly tuned (including Taala
strings).
* You may reduce the pitch if 'finger aching' is a problem.
Electronic amplfication can be had once a while.
* Rendering vocally before playing is good.
* Nothing like if someone supervises your saadhakam
occasionally.
*Record what you play for a leisurely self appraisal
* Listening regularly to Veena recitals is a must.

Best wishes. By the way where do you stay?

[ajaysimha]

Thanks @Sivaramakrishnan, for your inputs.
I'am put up in Bangalore.

[nadhasudha]

how to play veena during practice session ?
the reason I asked this was ,
as my daily routine I practice veena for 2 hrs(+/-) and after 1.5 hrs end up in getting "bored/aching finger-tips" ending my practice.

as the bala patham taught by my guru i practice in such a way:
1.warm up: --->5 mins
(basic stringing and s-p-S)

2.swaravali: --->30 mins
(saralai, janti, dhatu, tharastayi, mandrastayi)

3.alankaram: --->15mins
(saptha thalas)

4.geethams: --->30mins
(12 geethams including pillari, sanchari and lakshana)

5.swarajathi/jathiswara: --->45mins
(2 swarajathi + 2 jathiswara)

finally i get "bored/aching finger-tips", above 1.5hrs and cannot practice newer lessons
how do I over come this ? any suggestions/Tips ?

Veena Vidushi Jayanthi Kumaresh in one of her veena videos recommends splitting the practice sessions as three to four sessions - Dedicate one session to Varisais/alankaarams/geethams and veena technique. One Session for new songs that have been recently learned and revise any old songs. One Session for manodharma. One Session to read up on theory and history. She calls it the 4Ss - Skill/Song/Sound/Science. It is a very nice set of videos available on you tube. Check it out here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntm0cFwe0KQ