Ability = Learning (10%) + Practise (90%)

Learning to play an instrument is quite similar to learning a new sport, or for that matter learning to do anything which you want to do well. Talent is a gift which is sort of like a head-start or an advantage which some people have over others. But to do well consistently, one needs to practise.

A teacher helps you with the learning part in this journey. A guide who helps identify things which a student cannot see. A guide who helps with the right direction and approach. That is all. Dedicated practise is what makes a student better over time. And there is no shortcut or substitute for this. So if you want to make your teacher happy, then practise well and get ready for the next lesson. And don't measure your progress based on how many different things you have tried. Quality always triumphs over quantity.

Happy Diwali and regards,

C A Ravi
 

Is it too late for me to start learning a musical instrument ?

First of all, apologies for writing after such a long while. I was way too distracted with a bunch of things which included re-organization of the venture(s), operations, teaching and in the midst of all this chaos, releasing another single and a full album. Phew! But the learning has been fun.

While wondering about what to write, especially after a long break, I thought this would be a good topic. We keep getting asked this by a number of people who we get to meet at RaGa. Typically, when they come to inquire about music classes for their children! In many cases, these are folks who have even made an attempt to start learning a few years' ago and then their work pressures caught up or they lost hope.

I'd say, it is never too late to learn anything. Well, almost anything - I'm turning 50 soon and I don't think I am in a position to get into some adventure sport, especially given my current fitness levels! I have a friend, who is probably 60+, so passionate about fitness that he might have a different opinion. Well, let's focus on music. Answer is no, never too late! All you need is - desire, some amount of conviction that you can do it and a little time to devote to practise. Practise is the key and the patience to not expect results overnight.

Over the years' I've noticed that the ability to learn is not really linked to one's age. I've had students who are school-going but struggling to come to terms with learning to play the guitar while a 40+ working professional has put them to shame both in terms of time taken and ability to play. Yes, as we get older we tend to become more analytical. It helps if one avoids getting into too much detail in terms of hand positions, type of pick, type of instrument, body posture and so on. Reminds me of a quote which I think was by 'Ugly' from the movie 'Good Bad and Ugly' - "When you want to shoot, shoot. Don't talk"! So just get down to playing and practising for God's sake! Optimization of movement, posture and so on can happen over time. If you are a software professional, you probably heard the term, Agile. Follow that model, and it helps in motivating you to keep going further.

That's it for now. Oh by the way, I've also picked up a bit on video editing and using the knowledge to create some simple videos for my music to post on youtube. See! The learning never stops. Only your will to do or not to. All the best!

You can check out the promo for the latest album from Instrumental Conversations (yeah, the father-son band which is my son Rahul and I). The album, Nature and Places, has tracks inspired by different places which we've had the opportunity to visit.

Nature and Places - Promo

Ravi

5th Anniversary and new album launch!

RaGa School Celebrated it's 5th Anniversary on Sunday the 15th of December, 2013.
To view pictures from the event please visit www.facebook.com/RaGaSchoolOfMusicBangalore

Ravi, one of our founders as well as guitar teacher, launched his debut instrumental music album, Windswept,on the same day. For more information, kindly visit www.facebook.com/InstrumentalConversations

If you are an old student, please stay connected to us on Facebook for more updates from time to time. Also please share this information with your friends!

May the new year bring you good results in whatever you set out to do!
Team RaGa

RaGaJam - Informal jam sessions/1st Sunday of each month!

We are happy to announce the launch of the monthly jam sessions at RaGa School Of Music. Expecting to see some spontaneous performances by senior students, ex-students and maybe even some guest musicians over the coming months. Encouraging all students to come, witness, learn and interact. Also looking forward to students who have formed their own bands to come in and share their music.

The learning never stops!

For more regular updates and information, click 'Like' on www.facebook.com/RagaSchoolOfMusicBangalore !

Cheers!
Team-RaGa

Launching Drums Classes!

We're happy to announce that we're starting drums classes. Since the time the school started, we have had requests to do so, but we did not take it up until now, since we did not have the proper environment to do so. Having moved to the new facility (refer post below), we are ready! Registrations are now open, so please do drop by for details/signing up.

Currently, we are starting a batch on Sundays  - 10am to 11am. More batches in the offing ...!

Don't miss the early bird offer at the time of registration!
Ph: +91 9008 408 152 (B/w 11 am to 8pm on all days except Tuesday/Sunday. On Sunday, b/w 9am to 6pm)

We shifted again!

Well, sorry we were offline for a while. Apart from running existing operations, we got busy planning and coordinating another move ... yes, we've now shifted to a brand new location. We are now in the first floor of the same building which houses Music Gear, the music store. The new facility has dedicated spaces for guitar, keyboards etc. And we're also launching Drums classes! Stay tuned for more updates here ... if Facebook is more convenient, connect with us via the RaGa School Of Music page.
Cheers! - Team RaGa.
New Address: 637, 1st floor (rear portion), 1st Cross, RBI Layout, J P Nagar 7th Phase, Bangalore 78.
(Landmark: Opposite Elita Appts exit gate near Brigade Millenium signal; Same building as Apollo Pharmacy and Music Gear). Ph: +91 9008 408 152

School shifted to a new location!

We have shifted to a new location very close to the old place.
Address is: 606, 2nd Cross (corner of 2nd Cross and 5th Main, close to Elita Promenade Apts Main Gate), RBI Layout, J P Nagar 7th Phase, Bangalore 78.
Contact numbers remain the same: (m) 98805 99956 and 4095 9650.

Launching our workshop series!

We're happy to announce the launch of our workshop series with a workshop on sweep picking. This is for guitarists who are already familiar with the basics and are keen on learning this technique which helps in playing some really quick solos. Check out this video to get an idea about what this is all about. Workshop is on 3rd of June (Sunday) at 4 pm. Call 98805 99956 / 4095 9650 for more details at Music Gear. Registrations will be on first come first served basis, limited to 10 participants only.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u738ay74pNA

Now on Facebook!

Happy to announce that we've now opened a Facebook page. Hopefully, we'll get to see increased interaction and sharing!

http://www.facebook.com/RaGaSchoolOfMusicBangalore

Cheers,
Team RaGa

Re-opening after vacation!

Good to be back in the action! See you again starting today!
RaGa Team
PS: Veena and Tabla classes resume only in 1st week of May.

Keyboard Summer Camp

Starting 18-April-2012. Registrations open. Since the school is closed on vacation till 15-April, you may kindly visit Music Gear for details/registrations during this break.

Schedule:
(Duration: 2 weeks, Monday thru Friday)
18-April to 8-May
Batch-1: 9:30 to 11 am
Batch-2: 11 to 12:30 noon

9-May to 29-May
Batch-1: 9:30 to 11 am
Batch-2: 11 to 12:30 noon

School closed on vacation till 15-April-2012

All, we should be back on 16-April. During this break, for any new enqurieis you may kindly visit Music Gear at 637, 2nd Floor, 1st Cross, RBI Layout, JP Nagar 7th phase, Bangalore - 78.

Tabla and Veena Classes will resume from May - 2012.

Launch of Music Gear in new location

We are happy to announce the opening of our music store, Music Gear, in a new location on Sunday the 1st of April. The new facility will include a showroom, jam room for rehearsals as well as a recording studio.


Location: 637, 2nd floor, 1st Cross, RBI Layout, JP Nagar 7th phase, B'lore-78. (Opposite exit gate of Elita Promenade, above Tablets & Tonics, near Brigade Millenium signal).


Time: 11 am


The opening will be done by Vidwan Shri B G Srinivasa, renowned flautist and disciple of Padmashree  T R Mahalingam.


We look forward to all RaGa School Students (present and past) to visit with their families!


Sincerely,


Ravi & Gayathri

Check out the new page we added!

We've added a page (under Information for Students) with links to guitar tabs. These we hope will help students who have been trying to locate tabs for their favorite songs and enhance their learning.

While we continue to add links to this page, we are also in the process of doing something similar in the case of keyboard/piano.

We encourage all students to try and play the music of their choice apart from practicing your regular lessons. This is essential if you want to achieve higher levels of success!

All the best!

Composition on a keyboard/piano

Check out this composition (Mindscape - Piano Instrumental) by a friend, Kalyan Sabareeshan. Done using a Casio CTK-6000. Sharing this from a post in Facebook.

http://soundcloud.com/kalyan_sabareeshan

Introduction of levels in curriculum

After months' of reviewing and thinking (triggered by review of last 3 yrs' of work and suggestions coming from students) we're happy to announce some changes to our teaching approach. Whilst the overall approach continues to be focused on 'learn as quickly as you can', the introduction to levels, we hope, will help students in setting short-term goals and assess themselves at each stage.

To know more, please discuss with your respective teachers for Guitar, Keyboard and Tabla.

All said and done, there is no substitute for practice!

Team RaGa

Veena recital on an electronic veena!

Enjoy this very popular piece of music! The artiste is playing a Radel Electronic Veena.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=1qMPlrKdDiY

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone has had a great start to the year! We plan to ring in some changes to add greater value and focus to what we've been doing. Please talk to your respective teachers to learn more about the changes.

The list of holidays for 2012 and few other updates will be shared shortly. Please note that this blog will be used more and more to share information. Requesting all students to become 'followers/members' so that you can easily keep track of updates.

Have a great year!
RaGa Team

New Junior Keyboard Batch starting on 9-Jan-2012

Registrations are on-going. Only a few seats remain. If you have already been called to come and register, kindly  do so at the earliest to avoid missing your seat.

Conclusion of Junior Keyboard Batch-3

Another wonderful batch came to a close last Sunday. Though the turn-out for the get-together was less than expected, those who came, gave some wonderful performances! There was also an inspiring performance from Arun (elder brother of one of the students), who has learnt to play the keyboard on his own! Just goes to show what dedication and passion can do to achieve results!

Registrations are open now for batches starting on 9-Jan-2011. Please visit RaGa School for registration / enquiries.

Enjoy a few moments from Jinto's Fur Elise ....