An Ocean of Sound

This is an entirely pre-recorded course.

If you want a live component, and want to learn more about how to lead kirtan, consider signing up for River of Sound which meets April - May of 2023. More here about River of Sound.

Here's what people are saying about An Ocean of Sound:

This course inspired in me, a deeper connection to the healing benefits of Indian music and with that, a deeper connection to the heart opening aspects of singing and playing the harmonium. Allison's teachings are well paced and clear. Her teaching style is heart based and you can easily feel her love of the practice through the screen. And don't even get me started about the MUSIC LIBRARY! I am so grateful to have found Allison and this program.

Ocean of Sound is a brilliant resource for anyone wishing to explore the truly bottomless ocean of bhakti. -Sri Devi Melissa Urey

Allison has helped me fall more into love with Indian music, and has taught me things that have helped me better understand how to play it more skillfully myself. I've had a harmonium for ten years, but now I really understand so much more about chanting and playing and I'm excited to keep learning more as I dig into the music library packed full of songs to learn! - Paula Crossfield

It was such a wonderful course! I found it very approachable. I was able to quickly learn chanting fundamentals and also love that at my fingertips are endless possibilities for building my skills and practice! After being intimidated by the harmonium for some time, I was so pleasantly surprised about how this class went and how interwoven into my practice playing the harmonium has become. - Lauren Thie

Course Objectives:

• To learn a few chants on the harmonium and understand it's raga, tala, pronunciation, and meaning
• To develop a shared vocabulary around Indian music and bhakti yoga
• To be open to and sensitive around not culturally appropriating Indian wisdom systems and religious practices
• To better understand your voice and know what key you are most comfortable singing in, what’s your “Sa”
• To be introduced to a variety of traditional practices that are effective neuroplasticity exercises that increase focus and uplift the mind
• To better understand your loving nature as your core values are enlivened through singing
• Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to navigate the Music Library and have the tools to comprehend

What is Indian Music?

The math of emotion, Indian music weaves a sonic web that creates a somatic experience. A raga is a song, a story improvised on a foundation of notes. Tala is time, rhythm, or the field which gives the song her existence. Mixed around in this milieu of sound also lives the alluring srutis, the notes in-between notes. The sruti’s give Indian music it’s charm and healing potential.

Kirtan music is relative to classical India music, though it doesn’t have to be expressed this way. Folk interpretations and bhakti centric practices are wonderful. This course is for those of you who are interested in learning some Indian music basics and playing with adding those principles into your interpretations. 

What is Sanskrit?

Sound and oral transmission were highly revered in ancient India, and the Sanskrit language reveals that sound vibration is the meaning, the sound of the object is the object itself. This is not a language of semantics where the word implies the meaning of something. Instead, Sanskrit is a language where the sound itself creates the meaning. To this end, pronunciation is exceedingly important. When we say “shanti” which means “peace” we create it, and knowing the correct inflection can amplify our healing impact.

What is a Harmonium?

The harmonium is a French instrument developed in the 1840's by Alexandre Debain. It was adopted by Indians and Middle Easterners because of its vibratory nature. Essentially a pump organ, harmoniums have reeds that create tones when air blows through.

How do I buy a harmonium for the course?

Please email my friends in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India at: [email protected] and mention that you are taking a course with K. Sridhar’s American student Allison. Ask Saptaswara Musicals about their money back guarantee if the instrument arrives damaged.

I suggest a double reed harmonium without a coupler. At least seven stops, more is fine. You don’t need anything fancy. With shipping it should cost $400-ish.