The Sounds and Ornamentations of Indian Classical Music
Tuesday 13th August 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Indian Classical Music (ICM) is an ancient oral tradition that dates back to around 500 BC. Despite its evolution over the centuries, it has managed to maintain its unique style and cultural significance. Until recently, this style of music has been largely overlooked in voice research. Given the global presence of the Indian community, it is essential for both teachers and singers to understand and learn from this style to better serve Indian students while staying true to the authentic form of the music while also gaining insight on how to diversify and cross-train within your own singing practice. Indian Classical Music is split into two major styles: North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic). The workshop will primarily focus on Carnatic Music.
This workshop first explores the ‘authentic’ sound of ICM. The questions we will explore are:
- What is the authentic ICM sound? Is there only one?
- What have singers and teachers experienced as the authentic ICM sound quality?
- What the ranges and acoustic features of an authentic sound are, and some ways to train these sounds
Next, you will get an introduction to various vocal ornamentations, which is one of ICM’s key stylistic features. To execute these ornamentations, the singer requires a great deal of vocal agility. Accordingly, we will explore:
- The various types of vocal ornamentations in ICM
- Trying out these ornamentations in your voice
- Ways to train these ornamentations
Finally, we will discuss some of the habits that could hamper the ICM style - what some of the vocal function hurdles are that ICM singers face and how to approach these in a culturally sensitive way.
The workshop will include interactive components, such as singing and listening to ICM singers, and there will be plenty of time for questions.
Samyukta Ranganathan
Samyukta is an award-winning singer of Indian Classical Music (ICM) with an active teaching and performance career in New York City.
Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
Learn MoreSorry, this is an archived short course...
We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.
Tuesday 5th August 2025
1:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday 12th August 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 19th August 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 26th August 2025
1:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
1:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday 9th September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 16th September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)
Certificate in Acting Approaches for Singing Teachers
Louisa Morgan
Are you a singing teacher looking to elevate your students’ performances? Join our very own Louisa Morgan, as she takes a deeper dive into acting approaches that singing teachers can use to integrate powerful acting techniques into singing lessons. This 8 session course is perfect for those who want to help their singers connect deeply with the story behind the song. Gain practical tools and techniques that you can immediately apply in your teaching! Come along live for an interactive experience, or watch on playback at your leisure.
Tuesday 16th September 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
The Science Underlying Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises (SOVT)
Dr Ingo Titze
Karin Titze Cox
Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises have a long history. Humans and animals have discovered that aerodynamic and acoustic pressures above the larynx can position the vocal folds for better self-sustained oscillation. Join Dr Ingo Titze and Karin Titze Cox as they unpick this fascinating topic!
Thursday 18th September 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
The Cannabis Question: What Voice Practitioners Need to Know!
Dr Dann Mitton
As cannabis use has become more common, socially accepted, and legalized, voice professionals are increasingly fielding questions about its effects. This two-hour session with Dr Dann Mitton offers a clear, research-informed overview of what we currently know about cannabis and the singing voice. The session is built around real-world questions voice teachers and singers are asking: Does smoking cannabis dry out the vocal folds? Is vaping safer than smoking? What should I know if my student uses cannabis for anxiety or pain? Could some voice types be more at risk than others?