Why learn classical music?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever thought why some people can paint beautifully, but have difficulty adding two and two? Or why some people can understand the intricacies of calculus effortlessly, but struggle to write a one-page essay? It’s all about which side of your brain dominates – the left or the right.

 

Psychologists have shown that the left hemisphere of the brain tends to concentrate verbal and symbolic logical reasoning, while the right hemisphere tends to concentrate spatial and holistic reasoning. Since the brain is divided, it is crucial to make connections between the right and left side. Focusing on stimulation of both brain hemispheres is therefore of major importance.

 

Activities which engage both sides of the brain at the same time, such as playing an instrument or singing, causes the brain to be more capable of processing information. The simultaneous left and right brain action maximizes learning and retention of information.

 

Dr Gordon Shaw and Dr Frances Rauscher, scientists at the University of California at Irvie and many others within the brain research community have shown that music has an extensive education and brain development value. Listening to classical music can increase memory and concentration, and studying a music instrument has shown to increase spatial reasoning.

 

A person who study music and learn to play musical instrument tend to be more creative in their thinking, stronger in imagination, communication and team work skills. Incidentally, these are important attributes for a successful life, especially in the highly competitive twenty-first century. -Alvin Poh, founder of Learning Champ and Parenting Network 

 

Classical music has a more complex musical structure. Researchers think the complexity of classical music is what primes the brain to solve spatial problems more quickly. So listening to classical music may have different effects on the brain than listening to other types of music. The classical music pathways in our brain are similar to the pathways we use for spatial reasoning. When we listen to classical music, the spatial pathways are “turned on” and ready to be used. But the effect lasts only a short time. Our improved spatial skills fade about an hour after we stop listening to the music. Learning to play an instrument can have longer-lasting effects on spatial reasoning. Researchers believe that musical training creates new pathways in the brain. - Diane Bales, Ph.D.-

 

What can you do?

 

Start music lessons early. Singing helps stimulate the brain and systematic music education can help build skills such as coordination and creativity. And learning music helps your child become a well-rounded person. If you want your child to learn an instrument, you don’t need to wait until elementary school to begin lessons. Young children’s developing brains are equipped to learn music. And starting lessons early helps children build a lifelong love of music.

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CARNATIC VOCAL

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Carnatic music,  or Karnāṭaka saṅgītam, is a system of music commonly associated with southern India, including the modern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, as well as Sri Lanka. It is one of two main subgenres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions, the other subgenre being Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form because of Persian or Islamic influences from Northern India. The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in a singing style.

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Although there are stylistic differences, the basic elements of śruti (the relative musical pitch), swara (the musical sound of a single note), rāga (the mode or melodic formulæ), and tala (the rhythmic cycles) form the foundation of improvisation and composition in both Carnatic and Hindustani music. Although improvisation plays an important role, Carnatic music is mainly sung through compositions, especially the kriti (or kirtanam) – a form developed between the 14th and 20th centuries by composers such as Purandara Dasa and the Trinity of Carnatic music.

 

Syllabus:

The 8 grade syllabus will comprise of Swarams, Alangkarams, Geethams, Swarajathis, Varnams and Keerthanai in progression. At every Grade, 25 to 30 song pieces are also taught. A few Thirumurai songs, Thirupugal and Divya Prabantham are included as well. Theory is also taught.

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Duration:

Grade                           No. of Semesters per Grade

1 – 2                                                   2

3 – 4                                                   3

5 – 8                                                   4

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MRIDANGAM

 

The Mridangam is a percussion instrument of ancient origin from India. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Carnatic music ensemble, and in Dhrupad, where it is known as the pakhawaj.

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Duration:

Grade                           No. of Semesters per Grade

1 – 8                                                  3

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VIOLIN

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The Violin, also known informally as a fiddle, is a wooden string instrument in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and highest-pitched instrument in the family in regular use.

 

Syllabus:

Will follow Carnatic Vocal syllabus and theory lessons will be taught as well.

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Duration:

Grade                           No. of Semesters per Grade

1 – 4                                                   2                                                

5 – 8                                                   4

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VEENA

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The Veena, comprises a family of chordophone instruments of the Indian subcontinent.[The many regional designs have different names such as the Rudra veena, the Saraswati veena, the Vichitra veena and others 

 

Syllabus:

Will follow the Carnatic Vocal syllabus. Theory will be taught as well.

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Duration:

Grade                           No. of Semesters per Grade

1 – 4                                                   2

5 – 8                                                   4

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TABLA

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The Tabla, is a membranophone percussion instrument originating from the Indian subcontinent, consisting of a pair of drums, used in traditional, classical, popular and folk music.

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Syllabus:

Consist of 8 grades. At Grade 5 the student should be able to accompany a vocal artist. Pace of learning will depend entirely on the students’ progress.

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Duration:

Grade                           No. of Semesters per Grade

1 – 4                                                   3

5 – 8                                                   4

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HARMONIUM

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The Pump organ, Reed organ, Harmonium, or Melodeon is a type of free-reed organ that generates sound as air flows past a vibrating piece of thin metal in a frame.

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Syllabus:

Will follow exact Carnatic Vocal syllabus where students will be learning how to play songs from the beginning.

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Duration:

Grade                           No. of Semesters per Grade

1 – 4                                                   2

5 – 8                                                   4

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BHARATHA NATYAM

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Bharatanatyam, is a major genre of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu. Traditionally, Bharatanatyam was performed exclusively by women, and it expressed South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism.

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Syllabus:

Follows the Annamalai University Grading syllabus. Upon completion of Grade 3, students will do their Salanggai Puja at the school.

 

Duration:

Grade                           No. of Semesters per Grade

1 – 8                                                   3