In Indian Classical Music there are
7 Notes to remember :
Sa - S
Re - R
Ga - G
Ma - M
Pa - P
Dha -D
Ni - N
A permutation and combination of these
notes is what makes up every single
song / melody in the world.
an octave in harmonium
consists of 12 notes
1 3 6 8 10
we shall learn to play the
harmonium using just 3 colours
the 7 standard /major
or shudh notes
indicated with no symbol
above or below the note
4 minor/komal notes
these notes are lower and to the left
of the 4 major notes - R G D N
indicated with a line
below the note
1 exceptional note
higher and to the right of the major note Ma
called Tivra Ma
indicated with a vertical
line above the note
notice
don't change
Sa and Pa are constants,
i.e they don't have notes higher or lower
than them in an octave - there are no
komal S or komal P or tivra S or tivra P
this is now a complete octave and it is
located in the middle of the harmonium
this is the bottom octave and it is
indicated with a dot below each note
this is the top octave and it is
indicated with a dot above each note
The 3 Octaves of a Harmonium
Lower Middle High
Please note Sa can be started on any key of the harmonium
but for the purpose of these lessons we shall start Sa on the
first black key which commonly provides the sound of C#
Recap - in each octave there are:
7 Standard Notes
4 Half Notes Lower
High Octave
1 Half Note Higher
Middle Octave
Low Octave
7 + 4 + 1 = 12
Hand positioning
2
1 3
Index Finger = 1st Key
Middle Finger = 2nd Key
Ring Finger = 3rd Key
Thumb= All White Keys
Time for Riyaz
Let's Learn Some Chords
Creation began with one word
"Through devotional singing one
can get merged in the Divine.
That is the reason why the Lord is
described as
Gaanalola or Gaanapriya
(Lover of song or one who is
charmed by music)... "
-Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Pyramid 1
Pyramid 2
Song #1 - Sri Ram Jaya Ram
Shri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram
- - -
Shri Ram Jaya Ram Ja - ya Ja - ya Ram
Shri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram
Kindly remember to:
Sing the notes aloud when practicing
Sing the words aloud when singing a
bhajan
Try and incorporate chords when
possible when playing a bhajan
When playing chords remember to hold
down all 3 notes simultaneously
Chord recap
Time for Riyaz
Time for Riyaz
Time for Riyaz
Let's learn a bhajan:
Gauri Ganesh
Gowri Ganesh Uma Ganesh
Parvathi Nandana Sri Ganesh
Sharanam Ganesh Sharanam Ganesh
Shiva Nandana Ganapathi Ganesh
Meaning: Chant the name of Lord Ganesha,
beloved son of Mother Gowri, I surrender to Thee,
Lord of all Demigods, beloved child of Lord Shiva
and Goddess Parvathi.
Song 1: Gauri Ganesh part 1 of 2
Gow ri Ga n e s h
U ma Ga n e s h
Par va ti nan da na
9 Sh - ri Ga nesh
Song 1: Gauri Ganesh part 2 of 2
Sha - ra - nam Ga nesh
Sha - ra - nam Ga n e s h
Shi va Nan da na
Ga na pa ti Ga nesh
Introducing the Tivra Ma
this occurs mainly in Raag Yaman
Introducing Raag
A raag is a melodic framework used in Indian
classical music. It is a set of rules for
constructing a melody. Each raag has a unique
melody, character, and mood, and is associated
with a specific time of day, season, or emotion
Raag Yaman notes
Let's Learn Some Chords
Chord Riyaz
Chord Riyaz
Song: Rasa Vilola
Raa - sa Vi lo - o la Nan da la - la
Ra dha Ma. dha. va Nan da. la - la -
Nan da Ki sh ora Nan da la - la
Na va nee tha Cho -0 ra Nan da la la
Introducing 1 Half Note
the komal N
Pyramid Practice
Time for Riyaz
Time for Riyaz
Time for Riyaz
Chords
Those who sing bhajans get what can
be called a 'double promotion', for
they derive joy and distribute joy
-
Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Song: Sathya Narayana Govinda Madhava
Sath ya Na ra ya na Go - vin da
Ma dha va ---
Sa i — Na ra ya na Go vin da
Ke sha va
Sath ya Na ra ya na Go vin da
Ma dha va - - -
S a i Na ra ya na Go vin da
Ke sha va
Ha re Ra ma Ha re Ra ma Ha Re Ra ma
Ha re Ha re
Ha re Krish na Ha re Krish na
Ha Re Krish na - - - Ha re Ha re
Introducing 2 Half Notes
the komal Ga and komal N
Pyramid Practice
Time for Riyaz
Time for Riyaz
Chords
#ClassicalPiece
Raag
Kafi
- -
- - -
Raag Kafi
(2)
(3)
- -
- - -
(3)
(3)
Life is a song ,
Sing it ...
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Introducing 3 Half Notes
komal Ga, komal N and komal Dha
Chords
Darbari Alaap
Alaap - the improvised section of a raga, forming a
prologue to the formal expression.
Meend - refers to a glide from one note to another
-
Maha mantra in Raag Darbari - Part 1 of 2
Ha re Ra ma Ha re Ra ma
Ra Ma Ra Ma Ha re Ha re
Maha mantra in Raag Darbari - Part 2 of 2
-
Ha re Ra ma(ahaa)
Ha re Ra ma
Ra Ma Ra Ma Ha re Ha re
Thus far, we have covered every note in an
octave, except one, can you guess which one it is...
7 Standard Notes
4 Half Notes Lower
1 Half Note Higher
7 + 4 + 1 = 12
Yes! It is the komal R
7 Standard Notes
4 Half Notes Lower
1 Half Note Higher
7 + 4 + 1 = 12
Introducing 4 Half Notes
komal Re, komal Ga,
komal Dha and komal N
Chords
Mukunda Madhava set in Raag Bhairavi
Mu Ku-n Dha Ma-a Dha Va
Go- Vin Da Bo - - - - l
Ke- Sha Va Ma-a Dha Va
Ha Ri Ha Ri Bol
Bhajan Mukunda Madhava set in Raag Bhairavi
Ra Ma Ra Ma Bo -—-l
Ra Ma Ra Ma Bo—l
Ra Ma Ra Ma Bo—l
Ra Ma Ra Ma Bo— l
Let us learn practical tools to play the
harmonium during a bhajan programme
Tips:
1) If you know the bhajans in the programme ahead of
time, write down notes for each bhajan and take these
notes along to the satsang to guide you accordingly.
2) Try and get an understanding of the feeling of each
bhajan and assess if it would require keys and chords
based around the sound of shudh, komal or tivra.
3) If you cant play the notes , move toward holding down
chords for the singer
4) Remember to provide a key or note for the singer to
start the bhajan , as they are reliant on the harmonium
player for this
Let us look at a possible hypothetical bhajan programme:
Lesson 8:
Omkaram x 3
Gayatri Mantra x 3
Bhajan: Jai Jai Jai Gananayaka
Bhajan : Jai Durga Lakshmi
Bhajan: Danava Bhanjana
Lesson 9:
Om Tat Sat
Asota Ma
Aarti
Samasta Loka x 3
Vibhuti prayer
1. Omkaram
or
you can use either of these 2
chords to play the omkaram
2. Gayatri Mantra
Om
Bhur Bhu Va Su Va Ha
Tat Sa Vi Tur Va Ren Yam
Bhar Go De Vas Ya Dhi Ma Hi
Dhi Yo Yo Nah Pra Cho Da Yat
3.Bhajan: Jai Jai Jai Gananayaka
Jai Jai Jai Ga Na Na Ya Ka -
Jai Jai Vigh Na. Vi Na Sha Ka
Ga Ja Va Da Na (aha)
Gow Ri Nan Da Na
3.Bhajan: Jai Jai Jai Gananayaka
Ga Ja Va Da Na (aha)
Gow Ri Nan Da Na
We can assess and see that
the notes resemble raag Darbari
Gan Ga Dha Ra Shi Va
Sham Bo Nan Da Na
4. Bhajan: Jai Durga Lakshmi
Jai Dur Ga Laksh Mi
Saras Wa Ti Sai The chords that have standard notes
can complement this bhajan well
Ja Gan Ma Ta(aha)
4. Bhajan: Jai Durga Lakshmi
Sai Ja Gan Ma Ta -
-
Maam Pa Hi Ja Gan Ma Ta
4. Bhajan: Jai Durga Lakshmi
Sai Ja Gan Ma Ta - - -
-
Maam Pa Hi Ja Gan Ma Ta -
5. Bhajan: Danava Bhanjana Rama Sai
Da Na Va Bhan Ja Na
Ra Ma Sai Shyam Ma La Ko
Ma La Ram
5. Bhajan: Danava Bhanjana Rama Sai
Hey Ra Ma Ra Ma Ja Ya
Raam Sai
-
Raama R aama Ram
5. Bhajan: Danava Bhanjana Rama Sai
Da Sha Ra Ta Nan Da Na
Rama Sai - Da Ya Notice how this bhajan moves
between minor and major notes :)
It will test our skill of the
- harmonium quite a bit
Sa Ga Ra Ram
5. Bhajan: Danava Bhanjana Rama Sai
Hey Dee Non Ke Pra Bhu
-
Raama Sai
-
Raama R aama Ram
Om Tat Sat Sri Na - Ra Ya Na Tu
Pu ru sho tha ma Gu ru Tu --
S i d dha Bud dha Tu- Skan da Vi na ya ka
Sa vi ta - Pa - va ka Tu - -
Sa vi ta -- Pa - va ka Tu
Brah ma Maz da Tu — , Yah va Shak thi Tu—
Ye shu Pi tha Pra bhu Tu——
Ru dra Vish nu Tu - Ra ma Krish na Tu
Ra hi -ma Tao - Tu - Ra hi -ma Tao - Tu
Va- su de va Go- Vi-sh wa Roo pa Tu
Chi da nan da Ha ri Tu ---
Ad vi ti ya Tu - A ka la Ni ra bha ya
(x2)
A t ma Lin ga Shi va Tu - - -
A t ma Lin ga Shi va Tu
Asota Ma
Asatoma Sad-Gamaya
Asatoma Sad-Gamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya
Mrytyor-Maa Amritam Gamaya
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantihi
Lead me from the untruth to the Truth.
Lead me from darkness to Light.
Lead me from death to Immortality
Om Peace Peace Perfect Peace.
A sa to Ma Sad Ga Ma Ya - -
Ta Ma So Ma Jyot- ir Ga ma ya
Mrit yor Ma Am ri tam Ga ma ya
Om Ja Ya Ja Ga Dhee Sha Ha Re Swa Mi Sath Ya Sa- iee Ha Re --
- - -- -
Bhak Ta Ja Na Sa Ma Rak Sha Ka Par Thi Ma He - Ish Wa Ra
- -
Om Ja Ya Ja Ga Dhee Sha Ha Re
- - --
Sa Shi Va Da Na Sri I - ka Ra Sar Va PraaNa Na Pathey
- - - - - -
Swa mi Sar Va PraaNa Na Pathey
Aa- Shri Ta Kal Pa La Thee Ka- Aa Padh Baan Dha Va
-
Om Ja Ya Ja Ga Dhee Sha Ha Re
- - --
The next two verses ‘Mata Pita‘ and ‘Omkara Roopa’ follow the same notes
- - - - -
Na ra ya na Na ra ya na Om
- - - - - - - - -
Sath ya Na ra ya na Na ra ya na
Na ra ya na Om
- -
Na ra ya na Na ra ya na Om Sath ya
- - -
Na ra ya na Na ra ya na Om
- -
Om Jai Sad Gu ru De Va
Samasta Loka
Samasta Loka
Sukhino Bhavantu
May all the souls in all the worlds be happy
Sa ma sta Lo ka -
Su khi No Bha Van Tu
Shan ti Shan ti Shan ti hi
Jaikar: Jai Bolo Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Ji Ki Jai
Paramam Pavitram
Paramam Pavithram Baba Vibhuthim
Paramam Vichithram Leela Vibhuthim
Paramartha Ishtartha Moksha Pradanam
Baba Vibhuthim Idham Ashrayami
Pa ra mam Pa vi thram
Ba - ba - Vi bhu thim
Pa ra mam Vi chi thram
Lee la Vi bhu thim
Pa ra mar tha Ish tar tha
Mok sha Pra da nam
Ba ba Vi bhu thim
Idham Ash ra ya mi
