Carnatic Music 301 (Advanced I):

​

Overview:

 

Carnatic Music 301, the first advanced stage in Carnatic music consists of six parts:

 

-Varnams

-Kritis

-Aalaapanai

-Swaram

-Raagams

-Voice Training

​

1. Varnams:

 

     In Carnatic Music 103, students will be introduced to more complex varnams such as “Eranaapai” (Thodi Varnam) and “Viriboni” (Bhairavi Varnam). 

​

​

2. Kritis:

  

     At the advanced stage, students will continue to learn kritis in melakarta, pentatonic and vakra raagams.

 

 

3. Aalaapanai:

 

     Aalaapanai is a form of improvisation in Carnatic music. While singing aalaapanai, musicians convey a raagam "a tempo (without an accompanying taalam)." Typical syllables used in aalaapanai include “Aa,” “Ra,” “Tha dha ree na na” or “Wee” (in the case of Madhurai Mani Iyer).

 

 

4. Swara Kalpana:

 

     Swara Kalpana (literally meaning Creation of Swarams) is a form of improvisation in which singers conjure creative patterns of swarams on the fly.

 

​

5. Raagams:

 

     Throughout the first  advanced stage, students will continue to learn popular and rare raagams. 

​

​

6. Voice Training

 

     Throughout this course, students will learn advanced  Indian and Western style voice training. 

​

Prerequisites:

​

     Carnatic Music 201