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KKSongs Harmonium Guide

Originally a reed organ with Western origin, the harmonium has been a very integral part of Indian music. Except for instrumental and South Indian music, virtually every genre will have a spot for the harmonium, due to its simple and versatile nature. This guide discuss the introductory theory of North Indian music, musical scales, practice exercises, and fourteen Gaudiya Vaisnava bhajans and kirtans to practice and make good use of all the theory and skills taught in this course.

 

Preface

Dedication

 

UNIT ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE HARMONIUM

1: The History of the Harmonium

2: Correct Postures

3: Maintenance and Care

4: Review

 

UNIT TWO: BUILDING BLOCKS OF INDIAN MUSIC

5: The Keys of the Harmonium

6: Sargam: The Indian Solfege

7: That: The Indian Modal Form

8: Review

 

UNIT THREE: DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNIQUE

9: Alankars of the Ten Thats

10: The Tala: The Indian Rhythmic Cycle

11: Reading Indian Music

12: Introductory Practice

13: Song Practice (I)

14: Song Practice (II)

15: Song Practice (III)

16: Song Practice (IV)

17: Song Practice (V)

 

UNIT FOUR: CHORDS AND ACCOMPANIMENT

18. Murchana and Accompaniment

19: Applications using Western music

20: Review

 

UNIT FOUR: PRACTICE

21: Song Practice (VI)

22: Song Practice (VII)

23: Song Practice (VIII)

24: Song Practice (IX)

25: Song Practice (X)

26: Song Practice (XI)

27: Song Practice (XII)

28: Song Practice (XIII)

 

CONCLUSION

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CHAPTERS:

S0: View Keyboards in Other Keys

S1: Understanding Ragas

S2: Ragas

S3: Tanpura and Sruti-peti

S4: The Ornaments of Indian Music

S5: Before the Harmonium: The Sarangi

S6: Carnatic Ragas

 

NOTATIONS OF THE VAISNAVA ACARYAS PAGE

 

REFERENCE MATERIAL

A: KKSongs Ragamala

B: KKSongs Talamala

C: Indian, Carnatic and Western Conversions

D: Pronunciation Guide

 

UPDATED: July 29, 2010