North Indian Classical Vocal Music for the Classroom

Abstract

This article offers information that will allow music educators to incorporate North Indian classical vocal music into a multicultural music education curriculum. Obstacles to teaching North Indian classical vocal music are acknowledged, including lack of familiarity with the cultural/structural elements and challenges in teaching ear training and improvisation. Potential solutions to these challenges and practical lesson plans are provided. Classroom ideas include activities and projects to familiarize students with Indian culture and audiovisual performances to teach the structural elements. Lesson plans also encompass techniques used by traditional Indian teachers for ear training, such as aural imitation and improvisation, hand movements, and starting with simple improvisation and gradually progressing to greater complexity while setting guidelines.