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The Raga Notebook - Indian Music and Beyond

Reflections on Sitar techniques, Indian music, Jazz, World music and the art of deep listening.

FeaturedFebruary 2025

Indian Classical Music

What Is a Raga? A Beginner's Guide to the Soul of Indian Music

The raga is not a scale. It is not a melody. It is not even a mood, exactly — though it evokes one with uncanny precision. Understanding the raga is the first step into one of the world's most sophisticated musical traditions.

Music Theory

Raga and Modal Jazz: More in Common Than You Think

When Miles Davis recorded Kind of Blue in 1959, he was reaching toward something that Indian classical musicians had explored for centuries. The parallels between modal jazz and raga are profound — and illuminating for both traditions.

January 2025Read

Learning the Sitar

How Long Does It Take to Learn the Sitar? An Honest Answer

This is the question every prospective student asks. The honest answer is more nuanced than 'it depends' — and understanding the real timeline will help you approach the instrument with the right mindset.

December 2024Read

Reflections

The Guru-Shishya Tradition: Why Ancient Teaching Methods Still Work

In an age of YouTube tutorials and online courses, the ancient Indian tradition of guru-shishya (teacher-student) transmission offers something irreplaceable. Here's what it means, and why it matters.

November 2024Read

Music Theory

Understanding Tala: The Architecture of Rhythm in Indian Music

Western music has time signatures. Indian music has tala — a cyclical rhythmic framework that is simultaneously more complex and more intuitive. Here's how to begin understanding it.

October 2024Read

Crossover Music

When Raga Meets Flamenco: Notes from a Collaboration

During a residency in Spain, I found myself in conversation with flamenco musicians. The similarities were startling — the drone, the microtonal inflections, the improvisational grammar. This is what I learned.

September 2024Read

Music Collaborations

Beyond the Roots: Sitar Meets Contemporary Western Composition

In this groundbreaking project, I collaborated with contemporary classical composers to create works that honor both Indian classical traditions and modern compositional techniques. The result is a unique sonic landscape that challenges listeners' expectations.

August 2024Read

Music Collaborations

Samhita: A New Crossover Ensemble Bridging Indian Classical and World Music

Introducing Samhita — a large-scale composition bringing together sitar, jazz musicians, and contemporary Western instruments. This groundbreaking ensemble explores the infinite possibilities at the intersection of Indian classical, jazz, and world music traditions.

March 2025Read

Music Collaborations

Essence of Duality: Exploring the Jazz-Raga Connection

What happens when a sitarist meets a jazz quartet? In this collaboration, we discover the surprising common ground between modal jazz and Indian classical music. Both traditions share a deep commitment to improvisation, modal thinking, and spiritual expression.

February 2025Read

Music Collaborations

Northlight: An Indo-Nordic Musical Journey

Collaborating with Nordic folk musicians revealed unexpected resonances between Indian classical music and Scandinavian traditions. Both cultures share a deep connection to nature, cyclical time, and the power of the drone. Here's what we learned.

January 2025Read

Learning the Sitar

Sitar Technique 101: The Meend, Gamak, and Other Essential Ornaments

The beauty of the sitar lies in its ability to bend and slide between notes in ways that Western instruments cannot. Learn about the fundamental techniques that give the sitar its distinctive voice and emotional depth.

August 2024Read

Music Theory

Harmony in Raga: How Indian Classical Music Approaches Consonance and Dissonance

Western harmony is built on chords. Indian classical music uses the drone and the raga's internal relationships to create harmony. Discover how two traditions approach the same fundamental question differently.

July 2024Read

Reflections

Why Improvisation Is Not Chaos: The Structure Within Raga

Raga improvisation can seem completely free to the untrained ear. But beneath the surface lies a sophisticated framework of rules, relationships, and artistic choices. Here's how it works.

June 2024Read

Crossover Music

Building Bridges: How World Musicians Can Learn from Indian Classical Music

Whether you play jazz, folk, classical, or electronic music, the principles of raga and modal thinking can expand your creative vocabulary. Explore how to integrate these ideas into your own practice.

May 2024Read

Music Theory

Indian Notation vs Western Notation: Two Languages of Music

Western staff notation and Indian sargam notation represent two fundamentally different ways of encoding musical information. Understanding both systems reveals how different cultures prioritize different aspects of music.

April 2025Read

Music Theory

Raga Time Theory: Why Time Matters in Indian Classical Music

In Indian classical music, time is not merely a container for notes — it is a living dimension of the raga itself. Discover how ragas are organized around specific times of day and seasons.

March 2025Read

Learning the Sitar

Finding a Sitar Teacher: A Beginner's Guide

Choosing the right sitar teacher is one of the most important decisions in your musical journey. Learn what to look for, questions to ask, and how to find a teacher who matches your goals and learning style.

March 2025Read

Learning the Sitar

Online vs. In-Person Sitar Lessons: Which Is Right for You?

Both online and in-person lessons have distinct advantages. Discover the pros and cons of each format, and learn how to choose the best option for your circumstances, budget, and learning preferences.

March 2025Read

Learning the Sitar

Sitar for Adults: It's Never Too Late to Learn

Many adults hesitate to learn sitar, thinking they're too old or that they lack musical background. The truth is different. Discover why adult learners bring unique advantages to the instrument and how to start your journey.

March 2025Read

Learning the Sitar

Sitar Practice Routine: How to Structure Your Daily Practice

Effective practice is more important than practice duration. Learn how to structure a daily sitar practice routine that builds technique, develops musicality, and keeps you motivated. Discover the right balance between scales, exercises, and repertoire.

March 2025Read

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