The basic structure of the system I will be using to serve online workshops has been put in place.

No obligations. Learn what you want, when you want, if you want.
But please carefully read through the “learn-online” page at the top first.


There are 3 free lessons up for beginners who have some experience with the Indian system of music , have had some contact with Dilruba / Esraj before, and want to just ‘figure it out’. (Further explanations may be added on an ongoing basis)

Lessons for people who have ZERO experience with the Indian music system are being planned.

Lessons for proper sitting position and proper hand placement on the playing string are also being planned.
By Proper - I don’t mean right or wrong. I simply mean, Ustad Piara Singh -> Ustad Baljeet Singh -> Ustad Maiya Singh — their style… which is the TarShehnai or Gayaki (Singing) style.
This is a big deal - because it took me a very long to get it right. Once you do, playing embellishments and adding ‘mithaas’ (sweetness) to your music becomes much easier.

1 workshop consisting of Exercises for Beginners has been put up.

1 Intermediate workshop (Meends) has been put up.

More content will be organized and put up on an ongoing basis.
See the Lessons section on the right - to get a list of what is currently available.

Interested in trying to make your own Esraj / Dilruba ?
Instructions by Mr. Dennis Havlena.
Be sure to check out his Youtube videos and subscribe to his channel.

Once you’re looking at the instructions there one point to keep in mind:

Before putting together plans to make the proper one, Dennis showed me a simple Esraj with a cookie-tin soundbox (without sympathetics) as a draft. I hope he puts instructions up for that as well. It’s a simple instrument and is nothing to boast to your friends about, but it will play just fine and get a lot of beginners started.

You can also make a basic Taanpura if you’re interested. Of course it wont compare to a traditional Taanpura, but judging from the audio sample Dennis has on his website, it sounds good enough to use on stage for casual gatherings.

Update:

Audio Recorded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - for the 300 Saal Guru De Naal program. Shabad: Tu Thakur Tum Pai Ardaas

Didi (*is a casual title given to females you consider your sister) Arungeet Kaur is singing. We were blessed to have Sahib Singh, KL Malaysia Wale, on tabla. Several people told me he’s the best Tabalchi among Sikhs in Malaysia - I believe them. He didn’t do much fancy stuff in this recording as we had just met. He did a lot more in the following days after we requested he go all-out.

I’m using my friend Bakshish’s Esraj. It’s a RajMusicals teak wood Esraj.. smaller size than mine.  I had to borrow it becuase mine came with a cardboard box, and he has a proper hard case. I didnt want to risk taking mine on the plane.

Imagine, he LET me borrow it. Bro, if you read this, know that I’m very grateful, really.

As usual, kindly pardon my mistakes.

Ok here’s the file already: Arungeet Kaur - Tu Thakur Tum Pai Ardaas (118)
SAVE AS to your computer please - do not let it stream off this site.

–

Practice for an upcoming program.

I just learned this Guldasta from Aruna Didi (Arungeet Kaur).

Guldasta = a Raag Mala = More than 1 Raag is used in the composition.  It’s not like “Mishr” though, because you are not bending the rules of the Raag.

In this particular composition, every line is set to a different Raag.  Anyone care to guess + list which ones are used ?

I’ve got a lot more practice to do - I keep missing notes. It’s very confusing and it’s in a different scale from the one I’m accustomed to using.

I’ve shared this with a few friends some time ago on instant-messenger/facebook.

New Style - but Ancient Looking - Stringed Instruments by Peter Biffin of Australia.

I am blown away.   The “Tarhu” sounds like a Cello/Violin/Esraj all in one. Maybe I’m just a little over-excited about this at the moment, but I currently think * * NOTHING * *  I have heard can compare to how good these instruments sound. The use of an internal cone that is safe from string tension to produce sound is brilliant.

I am going to get myself an Esraj from him in the (hopefully near) future.  Make sure to look through EVERY page on his site, and check out the sound samples - especially the “Tarhui” in Raag Desh.

From the Classical bit:

When we all jammed together:

If you will be in Bangkok this weekend and are interested in Music

Ustadji will be performing on Saturday August 9th: East Meets West - Fusion Music Concert to Celebrate the Anniversary of India’s Independence.