Carnatic Flute Lessons
The Carnatic Flute (also called Venu) is one of the oldest transverse flutes. It is made from Bamboo and is a side blown instrument. The Flute is discussed as an important musical instrument in the Natya Shastra, the classic Hindu text on music and performance arts. The ancient Sanskrit texts of India describe other side blown flutes such as the murali and vamsika, but sometimes these terms are used interchangeably. A venu has six holes, is about the thickness of a thumb, and twelve fingers long. A longer murali has four holes and two hands longs. The vamsika has eight holes, between twelve and seventeen fingers long.
Unlike the Western flutes that you see in today’s bands and orchestras, the Carnatic flute is made of bamboo entirely. It has a one-piece structure with a closed (knotted) end and an open end. Also, there are no fancy keys to press to get the notes out. It’s all good old open holes! But, that means there are more options on transitioning between notes via fingering. The open hole system allows for a smoother transition between notes and therefore leads toward having a more fluid tone in the music being played. In other words, it’s a very simple instrument with highly complex capabilities.
A systematic learning of Carnatic Flute under a competent teacher helps you to master the foundations, including fingering and breathing techniques in a disciplined manner, with adherence to the principles of Carnatic Music
Although the bamboo flute is based on a simple design, in the hands of a master musician, it can produce a wide range of sounds and emotions.
Carnatic Flute performances are not just musical expressions, but also spiritual experiences, tapping into a higher realm of consciousness and connecting listeners to a profound sense of beauty and meaning.
A parent's perspective
- Cultural exposure: First and foremost, parents want to expose children born and brought up here in the US to get exposure to a rich cultural tradition with a deep history and heritage. By exposing toddlers to this type of music, we are helping to instill a love and appreciation for culture in them at a very early age.
- Enhanced speech: Most children that grow up in western societies are not able to pronounce quite a few of our syllables – especially rolling the ‘r’s, etc. Learning Carnatic and Hindustani music requires children at an early age to practice these producing these sounds that are unique to our Indian languages.
- Improved cognitive development: Studies have shown that early exposure to music can help improve a child’s cognitive development. This includes areas such as memory, language, and spatial reasoning — irrespective of the type of music — Western, Chinese or Classical Indian music.
- Increased creativity: Both Carnatic and Hindustani music are art forms that encourage creativity and self-expression. By exposing toddlers to this type of music, we are helping to develop their creative minds and encouraging them to think outside the box.
- Improved focus and concentration: Most importantly, learning Carnatic and Hindustani music requires focus and concentration. As toddlers practice and perform, they will develop the ability to focus and concentrate, which are helpful in all areas of their lives.
Why Learn at Raaga School
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Carnatic Vocal Student Concerts
We are very proud of all our Students Tots that prepared and performed at our Annual Student Concerts and our workshops
Our Team
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Come try a lesson with us. See if we are the right school for you.
Most of our students that attend a trial class are inspired to learn Classical Indian Music.