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If you have a restless but artistic teen at home, or a 10-year-old tearing around the house and singing in the bathroom, we can help. Introduce them to Indian classical music, first as audience, and then, as students. Classical music training can help kids in many ways, and we have listed some of them below.
Disciplines through training
Learning Indian classical music requires training and therefore, patience. Whether the Guru enforces it or not, a child who wants to sing well or play the sitar well, will put in hours of practice willingly. A teenager who thinks the table is ‘cool’ will reduce screen time to practice his art. Training disciplines the mind, and teaches us to optimise our day, and it happens as a labour of love.
Works as an antidepressant
All classical music calms the mind. Visit YouTube if you don’t believe us and look at the billions of views and millions of likes. A calm child is more joyful, can concentrate better and has better sleep patterns. And this leads to better health for children of all ages.
Improves memory
Music is as much about performing as listening. As kids train to listen carefully, not just hear, their memory cells start working harder to store notes, tunes, tones, methods, approaches, improvisations and everything else that makes classical music practice so engrossing. It’s not memorising, but actually improving the quality of how our memory functions.
Helps in achieving emotional balance
Music is a universal language. When a child wants to tell the world he or she is happy, angry, sad, thoughtful, or any other emotion, and wants to do it through music, everything changes. They realise they must control their emotions enough to perform, and release them enough to convey the emotion to the audience. This exercise helps them achieve an excellent emotional balance.
Connecting kids to their roots
Classical music is like the soul of India. Even if a child is playing a raga on a guitar, or repeating Indian talas on a drum set, their mind, body and soul are aligned with those who composed the ragas. It connects them deeply to their roots.
Is it possible to learn Indian Classical Music Online?
Virtual classes/ Live classes are usually held twice a week. Each class has a teacher with up to 3 to 6 students and students will be able to see each other, interact and imbibe skills like in a real classroom. This is extremely effective as it not only helps you learn from the teacher but also from fellow students across the globe. You will also be able to gauge how you stand with respect to other students taking the same course. The virtual class is not a standalone method of teaching. It is supplemented by several powerful self-study tools.
With technology being leveraged today, learning can become even more engaging. Interactive apps and sites which are especially designed for kids for learning Indian classical music can offer engaging and educational material. Animation and visual tools can also help simplify difficult ideas which in turn enables younger individuals to comprehend the nuances of this subject more effectively. Moreover, online shows and performances by celebrated artists can motivate and encourage young minds to explore their musical passions.
At what age should a child start learning Indian Classical Music?
In summary, there are three answers to the question, “What age should children begin music lessons?” Informal activities with music should start soon after birth, followed by more systematic classes around age three, and lessons with the goal of learning "how to sing" should start between six and nine.
How many days will it take to learn Carnatic music?
How long does it take to learn Carnatic Music? Generally, a student with good grasping abilities, regular practice and right attitude will take around 9 months to 'perfect' these various exercises. Right attitude while learning music is essential and takes the upper hand here.
How to choose between Hindustani and Carnatic Music Courses for my child?
Carnatic music tends to be more structured and formulaic, relying on a fixed pattern of melody and rhythm. Hindustani music, on the other hand, is more improvisational, allowing for greater flexibility and creative expression. A child interested in rhythmic complexity might thrive with the mridangam in Carnatic music, while one drawn to melodic exploration may choose the sitar in Hindustani music. Exposure to both traditions through recordings and live performances also can assist in making this preference.
Is it possible for anyone to learn music irrespective of age/voice quality?
We definitely believe that one can learn music as long as there is a passion for learning, as well as practice on a daily basis. Weekly two classes with the instructor and regular assignments and practice sessions will help a student master the course they've enrolled in.
What makes Vikalp classes fun and enjoyable for kids?
Learning this genre of music should be enjoyable rather than just dull and repetitive. For this some fun and engaging rhythmic activities should be involved such as clapping, tapping, and body movements. This can aid children in exploring diverse Taals. Furthermore, by organizing fun games such as “melodic treasure hunt” where they can identify Ragas can immensely help develop a bond with the music. Other games such as a unique variation of musical chairs. These sessions offer an environment where kids can engage in expressive singing, artistic creation, and self-confidence building.
Make it short, make it rich
Attention spans are going down sharply not only for kids but also for adults. While it takes a very long time to get even basic understanding of this art form, one has to ensure that one activity does not go on for a very long time. Just as an example, if you make kids sing Alankars for more than 15 minutes, they will be done with it. Instead, one could make them sing for ten minutes followed by some breathing exercise or physical activity for five minutes which will again be followed by singing practice. It is very important to note that one needs a healthy body (SuSharir) for singing properly and hence, I would say it is the responsibility of the music teacher to know and teach some basic physical activities to the kids. This will also solve the problem of short attention spans.
Make it a mix of learning and performance
Kids naturally love presenting more than learning. Why don’t we use that positively to foster their learning? While teaching a song to kids, as soon as we told them that they had to sing, their involvement and interest simply doubles. Consequently, we invite parents and teachers and organize small performances. Kids simply love it.
