Singing with Gopinath Sir

I have been taking Carnatic vocal singing lessons for a week now. Sandeep’s vocal music teacher just adores Sandeep, and I almost feel like my lesson is an excuse for Sir Gopinath to see Sandeep, whenever he brings me for lessons in the mornings. Sir Gopinath is fiercely protective of Sandeep, and always asks him how his wedding preparations are going, offering him help and advice (calling him many times daily)!

Anyway, Gopinath Sir is a senior lecturer at the Telugu university here in Hyderabad. He has a deep knowledge of Carnatic music, which stems from his father, who was a famous Veena player. He has many beautiful Veenas in his home, where his brothers and their families occupy the various floors of the building. When we first went to meet him Freya first did her obligatory dance performance, and I sang a few songs in Hindi, Marathi and English, which the whole family seemed to enjoy. Then his 12 year old daughter sang a Carnatic piece, which just happened to be one of my favorite songs of 2006 from a Remember Shakti album – it is called Giriraja Sudha Tanaya, which is about Shri Ganesha. She rendered it so beautifully, and I am hoping I may get to the stage where I can learn it too.

But maybe that is just wishful thinking. He is giving me a crash course, and I have so far learnt a lot about the theory behind Carnatic music and the very complex total of 35 different rhythm cycles. I am trying to master the main 7 patterns, which I have to learn by heart and sing in normal (1st) speed, as well as double and quadruple speed, while firmly beating the rhythm with hands and fingers in an equally complex pattern, which sometimes seems to mis-match. It is quite logical really, but can only be mastered with LOTS of practise. Also I am working on singing exercises in a scale with several flat notes, by which you learn to jump automatically in 1 1/2 as well as 2 1/2 note intervals, which really requires a lot of practise and dedication! Last class he told me to ring him and organize the next class for when I have done some serious practise – I think the message is clear…. not sure how far I will get with it, but it is a fascinating science indeed. Better get practising….