Riyaaz means regular, focused practice, and it is what separates students who improve quickly from those who stay where they are. The good news: you do not need hours. Twenty minutes a day, done regularly, is enough for beginners.
Before you start
- Pick a fixed time. Many singers prefer morning, when it is quiet, but any steady time works.
- Sit or stand with a straight back and relaxed shoulders.
- Keep a glass of water nearby.
- Use a tanpura app or a harmonium to give you sa.
The 20-minute routine
1. Breathing and humming (3 minutes)
Breathe in slowly through the nose and breathe out on a soft, steady hum. Do this several times. It wakes up the voice gently and lets you check that your throat is relaxed.
2. Hold sa (3 minutes)
With the tanpura sound playing, sing a long, steady sa on "aa". Listen to how your note sits with the drone. Try to keep it still, without wobbling. Do the same on pa. This trains your ear and your breath control.
3. Alankar (6 minutes)
Sing the alankar your teacher has given you, such as sa re ga, re ga ma, ga ma pa going up and coming down. Start slowly. Only speed up when every note is clean. Slow practice is better practice.
4. Your song or bandish (6 minutes)
Work on the song or composition from your class. Repeat the hardest phrase a few times instead of singing the whole song straight through each time. Pay attention to words, tune and breathing places.
5. Record and listen (2 minutes)
Record one short phrase on your phone and listen. You will hear things you could not notice while singing. Compare with your teacher's version and note one thing to improve tomorrow.
Remember: 20 minutes every day is much better than 2 hours once a week. The voice and the ear learn through regular repetition.
Protect your voice
- Never strain or shout to reach a high note. Stay in a comfortable range.
- Stop if your throat feels sore or scratchy, and rest.
- Sip water, and avoid very cold drinks right before practice.
- Do not sing loudly when you are ill with a throat infection.
Tips to stay regular
- Tie practice to an existing habit, such as right after brushing your teeth.
- Mark each practice day on a calendar. A chain of days is motivating.
- For children, parents can sit nearby and listen. It makes a big difference.
- If you miss a day, simply continue the next day.
Not sure what to practise? Your teacher will give you exact exercises. If you are new, book a free trial class and we will show you a routine that fits your level.