Carnatic music is one of the most discrete and revered traditions among all music genres. It is practiced in the Sothern part of India. It has retained the true essence of Indian classical music - the way it was before the Islamic invasions that shaped the classical music practices of North India to give a distinct identity as Hindustani classical music.

Getting trained in Carnatic music is beyond just a skill enhancement activity. It has myriads of benefits in the overall process of a child’s development. Most importantly, singing Carnatic music is a great stress buster. It helps the kids in grabbing academic concepts faster! Another thing, there is a consistency of rhythm and melody in the Carnatic music. It improves the mathematical skills of a child.

Carnatic music emphasizes a lot on understanding the sound, or Nada. The two types of Nada include - Anahata and Ahata. The former refers to natural sounds like ambient sounds, whereas the latter refers to the sound that are created - for example - when we speak or sing, or when a dog barks, or the birds tweet. It makes the learner more attentive and sensitive to the sounds around. They become good listeners.

After learning about the benefits of practicing Carnatic music, the question arises on the effectiveness of online Carnatic music classes for kids!

Is it even worth the time and money?

Well, the answer is - yes if you choose the right course.

Factors To Be Considered for Choosing The Right Online Carnatic Music Lessons For Your Kid

Kids need to be engaged in the learning process, irrespective of whether it is online or offline. Teaching a kid through online Carnatic music classes is the biggest litmus test to prove the credibility of online education in general. A lot has been spoken and written about the effectiveness of online classes- Kids get distracted very easily.

That makes it all the more challenging for the teacher to train a kid in an esoteric musical genre like Carnatic music. However, as difficult as it may sound, it is not impossible.

Here are five ways to get the most out of your kid’s online Carnatic music classes -

• Consider The Age of The Kid

Every online course has age criteria for the students. The age of the students influences their learning abilities. Get the course curriculum and teaching methodology customized accordingly. Only then will it lead to a maximized learning experience. Make sure to adhere to the age criteria.

• Check The Prerequisites for Joining the Class

Every online course has some prerequisite factors that the students should consider before enrolment. Read each point in minute detail. You will find guidelines about the instruments, learning environment, and tools that make the learning process smooth and engaging.

• Opt For Live Individual Class

There are umpteen online courses for Carnatic music. You are likely to find pre-recorded classes that are available free of cost. Then there are pre-recorded courses from some celebrity teachers that come at a cost. There is moderate to highly-priced live group classes online. And then there are live, individual classes. When you select an online course for small kids, it is advisable to opt for the one that offers individual learning session. Individual sessions can be customized to suit the learning objectives. The curriculum and teaching methodology can be changed according to the learning abilities. The student enjoys undivided attention from the teacher.

• Teaching Methodology

Learning any classical art form requires undivided focus and dedication. It holds all the more for Carnatic music because it follows a very stringent pattern that renders its uniqueness. A kid new to Carnatic music needs proper handholding to get initiated into this complex learning curve. It will determine whether the kids get attuned to Carnatic music or get completely off track. So, parents should discuss and give constant feedback to the teacher regarding how the kid is coping and the scope for improvement.

• Parental Involvement During and After The Class

Small kids can’t keep an unwavering focus in the long stretch of 45 minutes to the one-hour duration of an online class. Just like teachers have to keep interacting with them to keep them engaged, even the parents have to ensure that the kid pays attention to the class. The kids should get a distraction-free learning environment during the online classes and self-practice sessions. They should evaluate whether their kid is enjoying the online class. They should discuss with the teacher to discuss their progress and future scopes as well. In this way, the parents can monitor the progress of their kids’ online Carnatic music classes.

Final Words

The best thing about singing lessons or Carnatic music classes is that it is best suited for kids with a brief attention span. Kids tend to get distracted in an offline group class. Kids tend to be mischievous when in a group. It can be managed if they attend an individual class! Besides, kids can learn from the comfort of their homes from the best teacher and at their convenient time. If the above factors are taken care of, the kids will reap optimum benefits from the online Carnatic music classes.

I hope you find this write-up informative. Please drop down your thoughts and suggestions, if any, in the comment section given below.