Learn Pakhawaj Online - Fundamentals

Q: How much time should a student devote to self-practice on a daily basis?

This course will require practice time outside of lessons. Time spent practicing may vary from 15 minutes per day to an hour, depending on a student’s level of interest. Students who wish to become professional percussionists will need more hours of practice per day using a different set of exercises and materials than students who are seeking to learn Pakhawaj as a hobby. A detailed structure of practice for each student will be discussed and explained during class.

Q: What if a student is unable to attend an upcoming class?

The student is required to inform the teacher about his/her absence from a particular session, two days prior to the class. In such a case, the teacher will reschedule the class and conduct the rescheduled class on or before the end (i.e. Saturday) of the ensuing week or such other time as may be mutually decided between the teacher and the student. In case the student misses to give two days prior notice about his/her absence to the teacher, then the decision to conduct another class for that student is completely based on the teacher’s discretion.

Q: How long will a teacher take to revert to students’ queries after class hours?

Students should get a response within 24 hours if the teacher is not preoccupied or traveling.

Q: What if the teacher wishes to reschedule a class?

In case the teacher is unavailable for the scheduled class, he/she will inform the students two days prior to the class. The teacher will conduct the rescheduled class on or before the end (i.e. Saturday) of the ensuing week or such other time as may be mutually decided between the teacher and the student.

Beginner

by Pratap Awad

20 Years Experience

Has performed at Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav in Pune, Shankarlal Festival in Delhi, Doverlane Festival in Kolkata, and the Darbar Festival in London, among others.

US $18 per class |

for 1-on-1, 60 mins class

Recommended: 1 class per week | 12-16 weeks to level up

Pay as you go, 2 classes at a time

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Instruction Language

: English, Hindi, Marathi

Course Summary

Teacher's Profile

About the Course

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Course Summary

Pakhawaj, one of the ancient percussion instruments, holds a prominent place in various musical traditions, often accompanying folk music, kirtan, and bhajan performances.

This course caters to beginners who are embarking on their musical journeys with the pakhawaj. It aims to establish a strong foundation by covering:

Essential insights into the Pakhawaj instrument.
An introduction to the rhythmic scale.
Understanding the concept of Laya (tempo).
Engaging in basic exercises to enhance both conceptual and practical skills in pakhawaj playing.

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Teacher's Profile

Pratap Awad

Experience: 20 Years

From: India

Teacher Skill Keywords
Pakhawaj
Education
MA in Pakhawaj from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune

About the Course

This course is designed to introduce students to the art of playing the Pakhawaj, a traditional Indian percussion instrument, and explore the intricate rhythms of Taal, with a focus on Chautaal (a 12-beat rhythmic cycle). The course will cover fundamental concepts, and techniques, and gradually progress to more complex rhythmic patterns and compositions.

Introduction to the Pakhawaj and its significance in Indian classical music.
Understanding Taal: An in-depth exploration of the Taal concept, including the structure and beats.
Theka and Taal: Learn the basic rhythmic pattern (Theka) of Chautaal.
Padhant Practice: Practice the pronunciation of various syllables (Akshar) used in Pakhawaj playing.
Akshar Exercises: Exercises to familiarize students with different Akshar (syllables) and their usage.
Introduction to Teen Taal (a 16-beat cycle) and Chau Taal (a 12-beat cycle).
Theka and Lay: Learn the Theka (basic rhythm) and understand the concept of Lay (tempo).
Building on Basics: Progress to playing more complex Taal patterns, gradually increasing the level of difficulty.
Chautaal: In-depth study of Chautaal, focusing on Theka, Prastaar (expansion), and Badath (improvisation).
Section-wise Badath: Understanding how to improvise within different sections of Chautaal.
Chalan and Bandish: Explore the concept of Chalan (movement) and practice traditional compositions (Bandish).
Teeshre Jati: Introduction to Teeshre Jati rhythms, including Tihai (repetition of a phrase three times) and Chalan (movement).
Compositions and Variations: Learn traditional compositions like Rella, Chakradhar, and further explore Chalan (bandish).

Throughout the course, students will receive hands-on practice, individual attention, and opportunities to apply their knowledge in practical exercises and compositions. By the end of the course, students will have a strong foundation in playing the Pakhawaj and a deep understanding of Taal rhythms, enabling them to explore and enjoy the rich world of Indian classical music.

About the Teacher

Pratap Awad hails from Awad Shirpura in Maharashtra and is deeply rooted in the traditional devotional music of the region. He began his Pakhawaj training under the guidance of esteemed mentors, including the late Pt. Subhash Maharaj Deshmuk, Pt. Udhav Apegavkar, late Pt. Vasantrao Ghorpadkar, and completed his Master's degree with distinction in Pakhawaj under the tutelage of Pt. Arvind Kumar Azad. Currently, he continues to advance his skills under the revered Guru Taalyogi Pt. Suresh Talwalkarji.

Pratap's mesmerizing Pakhawaj performances have graced numerous national and international stages, ranging from Dhrupad to Pakhawaj solos and jugalbandi collaborations with Tabla, Flute, Surbahar, and Sitar.

He has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Pt. Uday Bhawalkar, Ustad Bahauddin Dagar, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Pt. Sushree Kaushiki Chakraborty, Pt. Vyankatesh Kumar, Ranjani-Gayatri, Aruna Sairam, Astad Debu, and many more. Their collaborations have enriched prestigious festivals worldwide, including the Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav in Pune, Shankarlal Festival in Delhi, Doverlane Festival in Kolkata, and the Darbar Festival in London, among others.

Pratap has earned several scholarships and awards throughout his musical journey, including the Maharashtra Government Scholarship (2004), National Scholarship (2012), First prize in the All India Radio competition (2007), Talmani Puraskar (2008), National Gold Medal (2010), Yashwanth Rao Chavan Yuva Sangeet Sanman (2017), and Kala Gaurav Sanman (2020).