Skip to main content

Playing the harmonium


Shri Mataji has blessed me with the ability to play by ear. I didn't realised how much I have taken that gift for granted until I have to teach non-musical students (students who were not expose to music much). I found myself trying so hard to explain to them how to play the harmonium according to the timing, the beat of the bhajans.

I can still remember the first time I played the harmonium for the collective. The week before, Lat has told me to prepare 3 bhajans (I can choose any bhajans) for the following week collective. The whole week, I was practising the bhajans, singing in the shower, singing while driving, practising on the piano (I don't have a harmonium yet at that time). I was so nervous that I have written down note by note on my bhajan book. When it was my turn to play (took turns with Seetha), my fingers were shaking so hard, my eyes were glued to the bhajan book, and my heart was pumping so hard that I thought it was coming out through my mouth. After that, my hands were sweating cold sweat. I made some mistakes and I was so obsessed with it.

By the blessings of Shri Mataji, my playing has improved through time. What happened was I realised that unless and until I surrender the playing to Shri Mataji and be thoughtlessly aware while playing, I cannot play at all. Still at times, when I get extra nervous, I cannot play.

I still don't know how to play the harmonium the Indian classical way, which I really want to learn. I think once I learn that, then I will be confident enough to teach it to the others. Because now, I feel at times I am teaching my students to be dependent on notes (the Western classical music style), especially those who don't know how to play by ear. Once they rely too much on the notes, the playing won't be spontaneous. I really would like to teach people to play by ear, but I don't know how like what is the technique used. So, once I learn to play the Indian classical harmonium, then I will feel comfortable enough to teach others.

After the completion of my ACCA (professional accountancy exams) next year, I really hope to be able to learn the Indian classical harmonium.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Matka pot treatment - Night 1

I started the matka pot treatment last night.  Been feeling a lot of left agnya catch lately, so thought that it is high time to do a matka pot treatment.  Here is what we need: 7 limes (I heard in Belgium, they used 7 lemons, so the pot that they used is so big and they have a hard time trying to dispose the pot after the 7 nights).  Cut the top of the limes to expose a bit of the flesh. 7 chillies.  Remove the top of the chillies (I don't know what you call, stem or stalk).  I used small chillies so that they can fit into the matka pot. 1 matka pot (here in Malaysia we used claypot that they cooked claypot rice, glazed inside so that it will not leak) Vibrated water So, you put everything into the pot and vibrate in front of Shri Mataji's photo.  Pray that the matka pot will absorb all the catches and negativities.  Then place it on the left side of the bed.  I put it under the bed but you can also put it on a side table on ...
7 comments
Read more

Information for pregnant Sahaja Yoginis

I have decided to gather all information for pregnant Sahaja Yoginis here.  This is probably not conclusive, so please feel free to add on if you have anymore inputs.  To read more about it, please go to amruta.org.   I guess the experience varies from individual to individual.  But I was very sensitive to vibrations and negativity when I was in my first trimester.  So much so that sometimes I have to do 2-3 times footsoak in a row in order to feel better.  But it gets better in the second trimester. As for havan, I was told that pregnant ladies can attend havan but have to sit far from the fire and don't sit too long.  This was advice by the Vashi doctors.  But my own experience, in which I attended one havan, I didn't feel good after that.  It's just my personal feelings about it as I was ultra-sensitive.  But I read some yoginis wrote that pregnant ladies should not attend havan altogether.  So, it really depends.  I ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sahaja Yogis Do's and Don'ts

The other day, while browsing through Amruta.org, I'd found this gem.  Sharing with you all.   Disclaimer:  As I only took out parts of the talk, please do read the entire text to get the full message and understanding or better still, listen or watch the video. Advice by Shri Mataji at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Question and Answers). Bombay (India), 22 March 1977 1. No smoking and drinking First and foremost things that a Sahaja Yogi cannot smoke or drink. One absolutely one hundred percent sure, because if you drink or smoke you will find after some time you either you’ll lose your vibrations or you’ll start vomiting. You cannot smoke. If you smoke your Vishudhdhi will be caught. If you drink your Nabhi chakra will be caught and whenever you’ll place your hand towards the photograph all the Nabhi chakra will be burning absolutely. So you’ll say, “What is this happening?” And you’ll give up. You sort of, many people have done it without any difficulty. They ...
Post a Comment
Read more