I started off my musical journey when I was 6 singing songs from "Perfecting Carnatic Music I", the rookie song book. I was playing with my toy cars when my guru who was teaching my mother at the time called me and asked me to sing a few notes. Little did I know this would change my life forever.
Since then, I have come to play the Chitraveena and am working on perfecting my skills as an instrumentalist. My guru, Chitraveena Narasimhan taught me all I needed to know to make my transition from singing to the Chitraveena.
The Chitraveena, being a south Indian instrument favors Carnatic vocalists as notes played on a Chitraveena sound similar to those sung by vocalists. All the songs and notes meant for vocalists can be played seamlessly due to the absence of restrictive frets.
When I started, all I could play were a few varishais which are beginner exercises meant to introduce the person singing/playing it to Carnatic music so they get a feel for the art form. Even though I was a beginner, I already had a headstart due to my adventures in the musical world.
I took me a few months to start playing note which weren't out of tune but as soon as I got a hang of it, I was hooked! Sometimes, it is a bit hard to get a hold of those 21 strings but after practicing it a few times, it should be fine.
For anyone out there having any doubts about the Chitraveena or just music in general, don't fret about it!
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