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 ....

Stephen Devassy

Stephen is amongst the best piano/keyboard players. Had the opportunity to meet him and Shivamani the great drummer in Mumbai last year. Take a look at the video and get inspired!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AF8mEaGa48

Wonderful 'jugalbandi' by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Shri Mysore Manjunath

Attended a wonderful concert at Gayanasamaj on 23rd October - Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (Mohana Veena), Mysore Manjunath (Violin), Kulur Uliya Jayachandra Rao (Mridangam) and Pandit Ram Kumar Mishra (Tabla). The closest I got to touch a Grammy Award - shook hands with Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt :)

None of the musicians had rehearsed. In fact, at the end of piece, they decided what to do next. Such spontaneous performances are not possible unless each musician is highly capable to adapt and is also a master of his own instrument. Three hours of fusion of Hindustani and Carnatic styles. Did not realise how quickly time had flown!

For those who are not familiar - Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt is the inventor of the Mohana Veena, which actually is a modified guitar. It has 19 strings and one has to use a metal slide on the left hand to run over the strings. Want to know more ? Look up: http://www.vishwamohanbhatt.com/veena.htm