Practice (riyaz) is where all this theory becomes reality. Whether you’re a vocalist or instrumentalist, a structured routine accelerates your growth.
1. Sa and basic swar work
Start with:
- 5–10 minutes of holding Sa steadily in different octaves.
- Sargam up and down slowly, focusing on perfect intonation.
2. Alankar patterns
Choose a raag (or just a scale) and practice:
- Simple patterns (Sa Re Sa Re, Re Ga Re Ga, etc.).
- Ascending and descending variations.
- Different speeds (vilambit, madhya, drut) with metronome or tabla app.
3. Raag-focused work
For one raag at a time:
- Sing/play Aaroha–Avaroha slowly.
- Practice pakad repeatedly until it feels natural.
- Improvise short phrases staying strictly in that raag.
4. Bandish and taan
Take one bandish:
- Sing it as written (or as taught) in different speeds.
- Experiment with simple taans – first in sargam, then on “aa” or lyrics.
5. Taal and rhythm
Clap or tap along with different taals (Teentaal, Dadra, Keherva). Practice counting and landing phrases on sam. A tabla app or simple metronome can help, but develop an internal sense too.
6. Listening as practice
Listening to great artists is part of riyaz:
- Pick one raag and hear it from 2–3 different musicians.
- Try to hum along with pakads and identify where they land on sam.
Small, consistent daily practice is better than rare, intense marathons. In Indian tradition, even 30 focused minutes every day can move you a long way if you do it with attention.