7 Tips for
Playing Bhajans
in Live Groups
A MUSICAL WORKBOOK
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Math
WELCOME
Welcome to the Amrita Virtual Academy of Music!
We are happy you are here! We hope to inspire you on
your spiritual path.
This workbook is meant for those who go to their local
satsang or sing bhajans at home and want to learn to
accompany themselves and others with musical
instruments.
We wish you a melodious musical journey in the divine
art of devotional music.
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
“Children, sing from the depths of your hearts.
Let the heart melt in prayer.
The joy of singing the Lord’s name is unique.
This bhajan is for us to pour out all of our
heart’s accumulated dirt.
Leave aside all shyness and open your hearts
to God.”
– Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi)
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
SEVEN KEY POINTS
1
THE RHYTHM SECTION SITS TOGETHER
2
HARMONIUM & LEAD SINGER TUNE TOGETHER
3
WATCH FOR CUES
4
HAVE AWARENESS & PATIENCE
5
STAY STEADY
6
FIND THE RHYTHMIC PATTERN
7
REMAIN A BEGINNER
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
A Successful Rhythm Section Sits Together
The kaimani player & tambourine
player should sit near the tablist
Rhythm section plays as one unified
voice & balance the dynamics
(soft/loud) depending on the
situation
Acoustically, kaimani is usually the
loudest instrument, so please adjust
volume levels accordingly as needed.
Kaimani seating placement greatly
matters. Make sure you can see the
lead singer, the harmonium player
and the tabla. They all should be able
to turn and see you when necessary.
If there is no kaimani and no tabla,
the tambourine is able to fill in for
both instruments due to its 'Din'
(bass) and 'KiTa' (jingle) sounds.
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HARMONIUM AND LEAD SINGER
TUNE TOGETHER
The harmonium player greatly controls the speed
and flow of a bhajan group.
Generally, the lead singer will change for every
bhajan. In the beginning, it is very helpful to have the
lead singer move to sit next to the harmonium. This
will help the singer to sing in tune (match the pitch
of the harmonium) and also be properly tuned with
the harmonium player in other aspects (rhythm,
mood and feeling, repeats, speed-ups, the ending,
etc.). Even if you do not move seats during
performance, it is helpful to do so during rehearsal.
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The harmonium player and singer should meet in
advance in order to find the correct shruthi (key) for the
singer. To do this, determine the highest and lowest note
in the song, and set the shruthi based on the range that
is comfortable for the singer. In case it's not possible to
meet, and the singer does not know their shruthi, the
harmonium player can help to set the shruthi using the
same technique at that moment.
It is helpful if the harmonium player has the list of songs
and the shruthis of the songs set in advance, so they can
practice before the live bhajans. It's also helpful to
practice with the singer.
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
Try to sit next to the harmonium
player in order to give each other
cues (for example regarding
transitions.) An example is the singer
needs the starting note for the next
line a little in advance - while the
backup is still singing.
If you want, it might be helpful to
have a singing buddy who is in the
chorus that can help you if needed by
gently singing with you to get back on
track.
Tips for lead singers
It might help the singer to use a
Tanpura app on phone to find
the right shruti/scale for
singing, before meeting the
harmonium player. This helps
the harmonium player to
understand the range
comfortable for the singer and
suggest a shruthi based on the
bhajan selected. The course
Devotional Singing in the AVA
Membership covers how to use
Tanpura app to find the right
shruti.
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
MORE FOR LEAD SINGERS
To help you with the pronunciation of the words,
ask a friend in your satsang for help or listen to a
recording.
Provide a list of the shruthis of the bhajans to the
tabla player so they can make sure they have the
necessary tablas and they are tuned.
Before singing, ask the harmonium player to give
you the first note of the song.
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
Keep the lyrics of the bhajan while practicing and make
notes while listening to the recording or practicing- like
how many times to repeat, rythm change etc. This helps
during the live performance.
Try to stay on beat by tapping on your leg.
Envision your Ishta Devata (Beloved Deity).
Sing with love.
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WATCH FOR CUES
Communication (non-verbal) is key: take cues and give
cues.
You can always ask the singer to please cue the rhythm
section for transitions.
If the harmonium player is starting the song along with
the tabla, (as we do in Amma's Bhajans), the
harmonium player should make eye contact with the
tabla player to make sure the tempo is appropriate for
the song.
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Typically, during the bhajan, the harmonium player and
singer will look towards the tabla for major cues; be tuned
to this gaze and follow as well.
If there are no other percussion instruments, be ready to
take this lead and have a good connection with the vocals
and harmonium player.
Important moments to look up:
At the end of a verse (Are we going to repeat it again?
Are we going to return to the chorus? Etc.)
At the end of a song (Are we going to speed up? Slow
down? Return to the beginning? Etc.)
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HAVE AWARENESS & PATIENCE
(Shraddha & Kshama)
Sit comfortably with attention
upwards, not looking down at
your hands.
Eyes open! Look around at the
group. Remember, you are
playing together.
Ground the tempo: this is not a
race. A solid rhythm section will
ground the entire bhajan group.
In a situation without
instrumentalists, a tambourine
is a good choice to keep a steady
rhythm for a bhajan group
Confidence is achieved through
practice and experience.
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
STAY STEADY
When in doubt: SIMPLIFY!
Start with basic patterns.
Fast songs tend to speed up as energy ramps up.
When the bhajan has sped up:
Simplify the rhythmic pattern even more.
Play less variety, but faster.
Keep awareness of tempo and stay steady.
This is the reason why basic and foundational
exercises in music courses are crucial skills for
playing in group bhajans.
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
Find the Rhythmic Pattern
To play a rhythm instrument, it's
essential to stay on beat (the taal
must be correct). This cannot be
compromised.
Understand rhythm structures. Is
this bhajan in 4, 5, 6, 7, etc? With
practice, this skill can be developed.
Keep notes and a record of songs
you have learned and tips for next
time you play it again.
Keep a Good Attitude
Love is main ingredient, keep a
humble attitude. Accept
feedback & remain open to
learn.
Always respect music and the
Guru. Contribute positive
vibrations while playing.
Ask for help from friends and
satsang members.
Grow together and share.
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
“Remain a beginner, like a child endowed with
tremendous humility, patience and faith.
Such should be our attitude towards the
experiences life brings to us.
Then we will keep on learning.
For the mind to grow and become as big as the
universe, we should first become a child.”
– Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi)
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
Thank you!
We hope you enjoyed working with the above
points. Over the coming weeks, it's most helpful
to review this workbook every time before you
start playing bhajans in groups. A new habit
forms in 40 days. Give yourself the time. You're
doing great! If you have further questions, please
reach out to your music instructor for guidance.
Aum Namah Shivaya
In loving service,
Amrita Virtual Academy
Copyright © 2024 Mata Amritanandamayi Center
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