Don’t Listen to Bansuri When Learning Bansuri

We are learning more than the flute. We are learning indian classical music and ragas.

There is a risk with only listening to the flute.

If you wanna learn bansuri, and play like a bansuri player… Sure! That’s the way to go.

You will learn all the tricks in the book.

BUT,

if you want a deeper understanding of the music you are playing I suggest you to listen to other instruments and vocal renditions.

Other instruments have other limitations and possibilities that opens up different perspectives of the raga. Other techniques are used that are instrument specific. Some of those will translate well into the bansuri, some will not. The trial and error will definitely open up new ways for you.

Vocal music specifically can present a raga in a very pure way. The vocalist obviously has its own challenges, but it has a fluidity to it.

Indian classical music is rooted in vocal music. A vocal rendition can bring out the essence of a raga.

And yes,

there are vocal-style bansuri players and instrumental-style bansuri players. Bansuri players that are trying, and doing so incredible well, to imitate a vocalist. That includes the form of which they present the raga, but also the phrasing and sound. Others are playing a more instrumental-style. That means more broken notes and more like sitar/rudra veena/sarod. Focusing on the Jor/Jhala and the more rhythmical part of a raga presentation. Do your research and see what you find. Can you identify a player that is more vocal-style oriented?

So what’s the risk, really?

The risk is to sound like a bansuri player. Rather than a musician. You play the flute-specific tricks and techniques. The habit becomes so strong that when you try to play a simple phrase, you automatically play it like a bansuri player.

The idea here is to find your own voice, isn’t it? To find your own expression. On the way of exploration you must look at many different artists.

While staying true to the raga, you can push the boundaries of what the flute can do.

- Do you love how a vocalist sings a raga? Try to follow, try to learn.

- Do you love how a sitarist plays? Look closer, what is she really doing?

Listen, listen, listen.

What sticks to you? What makes your heart go wow? It is an important part of practice. It happens subconsciously also, but you need to go into what they are actually doing that makes you feel that way in order to really be able to express yourself in a similar way.

Enjoy the journey!