World Music Pedagogy in Practice: Part 2 – Learning Hindustani/Indian Music

Of the many forms of Hindustani Indian classical music, the Tarana is a song form that, while vocally performed, references the instrumental sounds of tabla and other percussion instruments through the use of vocalized syllables rather than a song text. The melodies of the Tarana are replete with ornamentation typical of so much of India’s music, but there are also Taranas for first-timers that introduce ragas and taals of Hindustani music. A learning pathway with emphasis on the five dimensions of the musical experience will ensure that students of every age and experience learn some of the intricacies of Hindustani music as well as its cultural meanings.