Essential Tips to Sing High Notes in Carnatic Music

An age-old scientific system, the math of melodies and notes, internal harmony of the upper body, and indulged mind communicating with sources of sound, and a connecting motion of the music. That is what defines ‘Carnatic Music’.

Karnatak Sangitam, coined as ‘Carnatic Music’ is a rich legacy of Indian Classical Music. The popular music art once dying has again caught up with the rhythm, thanks to marking it on the digital map and making it live once again through performance videos, online tutorials, and digital access to vocalists, in-house teachers, and families fostering Carnatic vocals in their bloodline.

Parents are now inclined to make their kids experience the gravity of Carnatic Music tutorials to infuse the innumerable benefits of learning Carnatic Music for kids.

Significant improvement of memory, developing the habit of paying keen attention to the swaras and the octave, spiritual connection, mastering the cultural expression, strengthening of lungs, and evoked moods are a few of the many benefits.

The musical journey to learning Carnatic vocals can have its own highs and lows.

To attempt a flawless 2–3 min of Carnatic classical music piece the learner has to master the rhythm, the pitch, the pronunciation, the raaga, and synchronization with the shruti box.

Especially when it comes to singing high notes in Carnatic Music, the anxiousness to sound perfect steps in, making a completely different you appear in front of the audience!

What changes happen when you shift from low notes to high notes in Carnatic Music?

Imagine yourself singing in the lower octave. While attempting low notes, you are pretty relaxed, with a pleasant expression on your face, a relaxed jawline. It begins with a deep breath with your whole body language signaling control over the tone output.

Now let us see what change comes while going from lower octave to high octave. As you attempt the high pitch, there is a change in facial expression signaling the strain you are taking to go for high pitch. The jawline is no longer relaxed and the sound output shows a lack of proper breathing.

So much that you end up hearing: “Don’t shout! Just sing in high pitch.”

Relax. With these simple tips, you can slowly catch up on the high notes while attempting them in the high octave in Carnatic Classical Music.

Practice mindful breathing first before singing!

“ Whenever I tend to sing in high notes, my voice breaks.” Heard this before??

As suggested by voice training experts, one of the most common reasons for not being able to drive a high pitch is shortness of breath, which further strains the vocal cords not allowing you to expand over a high octave.

A seasoned Carnatic Music Tutor will improve your high pitch attempts by guiding on breathing exercises like Nadi Shodana, Bhastrika, Kapalabhati, and Pranayam that are one of the best techniques for taking high notes in Carnatic Music.

Condition your vocal cords before practice

If you are thinking to start practicing tharastayi (high notes) the first thing early morning, then you are wrong.

It is of utmost priority to condition your throat well, with some warm water (preferably a concoction of tulsi, honey, and lime) to relax them and prepare. A warm shower inhaling the steam will further condition and freshen you up for the practice. It is also advisable to practice a customized diet regime to prevent acid refluxes in the morning that may irritate the vocal cords.

Limit your Practice

Yes, you heard it right! Many times intense practice in high notes may backfire damaging your throat.

As suggested by experts, it is always advisable to start practice with sarali varasai, the basic note which will slowly enable you to shift gradually to a high note.

Maintaining a 60–100 mins max of practice daily morning is considered doable.

Mind your Posture!

Another important technique for high notes in Carnatic Music. A good posture while practicing makes sure that breath is under control and your entire energy is concentrated towards the sound output. Again, ‘how to sit in correct posture while singing Carnatic Music’ can be learned.

For instance, putting the chin up high while taking on a high note can strain and cause tension in the jawline and throat.

Ear Training Techniques

One of the key techniques for high notes in Carnatic Classical Music is to ear train. It also starts with proper registration of music notes, remembering the sequence and the flow to later produce a parallel output while singing.

By regular practice, you are able to develop a sense or an ear for music.

It helps you with tuning, proper intonation as well as building a conscious approach to the pitch while singing.

However, live counseling is what matters at the end to get you ace high notes in Carnatic Music.

PiggyRide welcomes all Classical Carnatic Music aspirants to get a one-time opportunity to learn from experienced Carnatic Music Tutors’ inconvenient time slots.

Originally Published on https://piggyridesocial.medium.com/

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Created on Jun 15th 2021 08:57. Viewed 359 times.

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