Harmonium for Beginners May 2024

About the course

If you have always wanted to learn how to play the harmonium and sing under the guidance of a highly experienced teacher, this is your opportunity. Through theory and practical application from basic to more advanced levels, you’ll get an understanding of the complete science of music. One key course-book that will be used is “A Vaisnava Harmonium & Singing Method” by Ramanujacharya das, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada.
 
The 16-week course will cover:

• Rhythm and Rhythmic cycles (Talas)
• Finding your vocal style and rhythm. 
• Description of and playing the harmonium
• Understanding traditional and western musical styles
• Various positions of ‘Sa’, and playing the basic scale
• An explanation of the notation used for musical selections, and much more!

Plus, practical singing and playing. You will learn many temples songs/devotional bhajans. And you will deepen your devotion by chanting the Maha mantra.

By the end of the course, you will have a comprehensive appreciation of music and be able to practise as a vocalist, songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, and producer through the ragas.

This course will be run in person (Paramatma room, Haveli). If you are unable to attend in person, then you can join online for the entire course.

You will need to bring your own harmonium to the sessions, this will not be provided. The first two sessions are theory only so you won’t need to bring the harmonium.

Prema Sankirtana das has over 40 yrs of experience in Indian and Western music and regularly attends many kirtan events both in the UK and Internationally. Inspired by his father, who was an expert bhajan singer, Prema Sankirtana studied sastra and sangeet in Indian classical music from the famous Dr. Usha Parkhi (classical vocalist) from Nagpur India. He completed Western Symphony Orchestral, Electronic Sound Synthesis music and Pianoforte courses. His musical talents led to live performances in Indian Bollywood music during the 80’s and 90’s, not only with own band but also as a freelance musician. Since the late 90’s, Prema Sankirtana das has been regularly singing from the heart many bhajans and kirtans for ISKCON by the blessings of Guru and Srila Prabhupada.

Dates and other information

Dates: Saturdays 04 May 2024 – 17 August 2024
Sessions: 16
Time: 13.15 - 15.00 hrs