Vaishnava Harmonium Tutorial

141 Pages·2009·10.36 MB·English

Method

(Part One)

Based on the
Traditional
North Indian System
Of Music :
A Vaishnava Harmonivn
and Singing Method

Based on tha Yraditiona)
Kerth todian System af ttustc

‘asnanuiactarya Dasa
A VAISNAVA HARMONIUM

AND SINGING METHOD
Part One

‘mahiprabho Briana mpage
Walia mana resent
amines kamy

‘Chanting the holy mime, dancing in csisy, singing, and playing musical
instruments, the spiiual master is always eladdentd by the soilarroc,
‘movement of Lord Cstanya Malijrabhy, Beceus he is esting the melon
Of pure devotion within bis ind, sometines his har stands one, he ele
«quivering in his body, and tears ew fom his eyes lke waves, Tofer oy
Fespectful obeisances unto the lotus fet of such a spttual master

“ST STGurvastaka
Persons wh ate interested in the subject matter
‘ofthis book or who would lke to make suggestions
forthe forthcoming sequel
‘may correspond with the author at this addres:

Ramanujacharya Das
ISKCON
P.O Box 56003,
‘Chatsworth 4030
South Affica

© 1995 A Vaisnays Harmonium and Singing Method
bby Rammangjacharya Das,
All fights reserved,

Printed by Optimars Print, Durban, South Africa
DEDICATION

Toall of the followers of Silla Prabhupiada

is Divine Grace A.C. Bhativedinta Swami Prabupade
Founler-Actiya ofthe
Jnteratinal Society fr Krsna Consciousness
Acknowledgements

By th eels mercy of the Supreme Paso of Coead, Krag, we ecived
th inpration, dieston ad arength prodic isbook. Combined wl he nec
essing f cur beloved pir! mater, Sa Prahup, te work was compiled. Por
‘mia inupition am is fal indie wo Sra bp, and ae ey secbrrs
‘Aytanda Pra, AgidevaPrabho,Vaiytat Path tod Dvadyonian Peco Pee
‘musical instruction T am deeply grateful to Srimfin Anandrao Lingayat, Siiman Bansi Harirarm
{Sinan Nand Para

sar the production ofthis books contre, 1am depl indebted to Sai
Pri (Sout ica) who worked with mer many bouscompostg is booken he
outer. His rendu efor inthis esd is ley espns far thc ome othe
ork 1 ko tans Holmes Bhakti Chu Swamt who my side unl son doe plea
{or Kindly weting te forvar. Sinn Keishn Sohal ad Ser Ras Prat, att ony,
{ve important night into the use of the rag while going hemp te masussip th ne
Jeary Rajanoon: wa reporsbl forthe bail ever sign SF Krih Soosrenes ok
Optimum Pina Durban graciously printed this hock out fis pent Beno Seaee
iste Prabhu ao Belge consderaly

"wat to thnk thse and al the ther devotes who bled and encouraged me. hope
‘his presenation wifi veut withthe Vaiss they maybe planed eb
Contents

Forwoud
Preface
The Tats (Riya Cycles)
Description and Playing ofthe Harmonium
The Seven Swaras

The Various Positions of Sa

‘Advice for Singers

Postion BI ~- Playing the Basic Sesle

The Alaikrs

BIT Hare Kysoa Mana
BI. 2 Pafcoctatva Mahi
BBL. 3 Hare Krsqa Mahiemanira
BI. 4 Hare Kyspa Mat-manca
BIS Nama-saikitana

BUG Hlare Kesna Mati mantra
BLT Gurvdeva

Playing the Vik Notes

‘The Ten Preat Scales or Ps
BL. Sila Prabbupada Prana
Bi

Br
BL
BI
Br
‘BL. 14 Bhyj hi Re Mana Si Nanda nandana
BI 1s S11 Damodarastaka

BLL 16 Inadeve Via

Position B2
32.1 Govinds ay Jy

2.4 SiiNisiiha Prarsing and Prayer to Lovd Nesta

182 5 Govinda Jay Jay, Se7 Krsna Govinda Tare Minato
and Ori Namo Bhagavate Vasudeva

'B2 f Jaya Rauhi-Mivdnava and Llare Kia Mah-mantra
82.7 SN Praying and Payer to Lord Nesta
28S Tilcktane

82 9 Si Tuas Prada Mantra
33210 Fae Kjga Mahi-manta

82.11 Saplrgadi-hapavad-vicaha anit
Ba 12 Raghe pat

32.12 Tare Kjaa Matitmonta
R214 Gauri

2.15 Paieasatva Mahi-manira (GauraSeat elo)
1216 Hare Kegs Matin (Gaur Sat logy)

Position m1
3.1 Tay Raghy-nandana

BB 2 Hace Krsna Mahi-manca
13.3 SiTREdhkestava

BS. 4 S7SFGurmasteha
13.5 Sia Prabhupala Prana
BS. 6 Paiicrtuve Mabiemartra
BS.7 Have Krsga Mehmanta

Postion W7
7.1 Hare Kesne Mah-msnia

W2. 2 Sfvaranasf-gaura-pal-padme Prithanl
WT. 3 SeNdima-litana

WI-4 Hae Krsna Mehiemanea

‘Appendix A ~The Tuning ofthe Harmonium
‘Append B The Names ofthe Harmonium Keys
According tothe Westem System

Appendix € - The Twelve Posions of Sa
‘Appendix D - The Voea! Ranges
Appendix EA Descrintion of Riga

‘A Description of te Charctrisics of Some Prominent Riges
Apperdc F- Drone, Hamionies and Chords
SeleceBidiography
Glossiry
Foreword

Krpna consciousness is integral lated with msc. Inthe spiritual sky every word is
music, therefore, the best meas (oan the situa sky is through music ~ salir,
‘Wien Sia Prabhupiidessarted the Hare Krsea movement in Americ, what attracted people
‘most was his music; therefore itis vry important Zr the devetes of ISKCON to lean hew
{0 sng and play music propery

Musi not only help one go within oneself it ls has a sublime effect on the listeners
‘When the holy name ofthe Lord is sung with a melodious tune, even a brute i ransformed
Jmo stint. Music has the power to literally melt a rock or mske a mountain fy

‘Lam sure this book by Raiinujacharya Prabhu wil help the devotees of ISKCON get
‘he much needed guidance for entering into the word of music. This Boks been
spestcaly designed for the devotees of ISKCON, I am confident that the devotees wil ind
this book very useful and a good telp in understanding the basics of Tian music

Rimanujchirys Prablu has studied Incian clasial msc with dedicated enthusisam,
1nd is undoubtedly the right person to write his oak. Iam sue thatthe devotae: who are
interested in leatring music willbe thank fl toh Zor this service wich he as endered for
‘he pleasure of Sita Prabhupis

Bhakti Chia Svar
ISKCON Guru, GBC
and Minister of Cult
Preface

‘This book is especially mean forthe members of the Intemational Society for Krishna
Consciousness. Is purpose ito teach them howto sing and play the harmonium acceding to
‘what has come to be known as the North Indian er Hindustani system of music. Tn India tere
fe tvo ma systems of classical music tbe Karmtic or South Indian system andthe
Hindustani or Norh indian system, The thee main places of plrimage for tbe Gandia
‘Vaignavas, Vindavan, Mavipur and Jagannith Pui re alllocted in areas where the Rost
Idi system is followed. More importantly though, our dodas used this sytem of waste
We shal therefore learn Indian msc according to tis sytem,

‘The haxmonium is not originally an indian iestrmzent. Indeed, it was invented in 1840
by one Alexandre Debsin of Paris. When the Brtsh wer ruling Ini, they brought the
musical instruments with them, one of which ws he harmonium, While fang cut of use in
the Wester counties, the harmonium has become increasingly populr all ver Inia,
Ieimarily as an accompanying samen for devotional siging Although not originally
Vedic instrument, its acceptability was demonstrated by our spiitual matte, Sale
Prabhupida, who played iton many occasions whl singing in pure devotion

Somotimes devotes, especially fiom West backgrounds, ind it dificult to relate to
and understand the music of His Divine Grace in particular and Indian music in general. Toe

ge dogres thsi dv to their pat exposure to Western music and their lack cf exposure es
Indian music. While the evo systems of music have mazy things in comunon, there are
sliferenees aswell. Wester musi s based upen such concepts as harmny, modulation and
‘counterpoint which are not Found in Vedienmisic. On the other hand. Indian music i breed
‘spon the concept otra, the melodic bass ofthe clasial tradition. When properly
"understood and appreciated the rdgas crest an emotional impact upon the stoner eich ig
isferent rom that effected by Western music, The rbythms uted andthe exphosts nthe
thyths are also diferent, These and other concepts willbe inteduced and developed this
book

The idea in presenting this book isto use the mans, prayers and devotional songs, and
their melodies which ae or the most part, fama tethe members of ISKCON. In his way,
the learing ofthe harmoniue,sirging and the art of musi wil be moat relevant and used Tt
is hored that the Veisravas willbe pleased wth this humble effort of outst present « method
forlearing our tactions| system of music. Tare Kreqa

Riininajchiina Dita

Iuly, 1998
‘Sif RAG Rainn stands
Durban, South Afica