Hear the note
Develop pitch awareness, vocal steadiness and musical listening.
Music with meaning
Gurbani Kirtan.
Tradition, understood through music.
Students can learn Gurbani Kirtan through musical foundations while developing an understanding of the cultural and spiritual tradition surrounding the music.
- Sur, Raag and rhythm
- Harmonium and tabla foundations
- Vocal confidence and musical expression
- Structured individual and group learning
A complete musical foundation
Meaning, melody and rhythm together.
Understand the mood
Explore Raag-based foundations and their place within Kirtan learning.
Hold the rhythm
Connect voice, harmonium and tabla through timing and accompaniment.
Heritage of the program
Gurbani Kirtan: word, melody and devotion.
Shabad Kirtan stands within a Sikh musical tradition extending back to the time of Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana.
Sacred poetry was sung so that meaning could be heard, remembered and shared by the Sangat. The Guru Granth Sahib places much of its Bani within Raag frameworks, giving melody an important role in how a Shabad is expressed. Historically, Sikh Kirtan included the rabab and other stringed instruments; harmonium and tabla became widely used in later practice.
Learning Sur, Raag, Taal, voice and accompaniment therefore builds more than performance skill. It helps students approach the Shabad attentively and participate with understanding.