Carnatic Flute 101 - A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
By Amith Nadig
27 video lessons with included resources
Self Paced Course, Learn whenever wherever.
Get lifetime access with one time purchase.
Course Description
Unlock the enchanting world of Carnatic classical music with Carnatic Flute 101, a step-by-step online course designed specifically for absolute beginners. Taught by world-renowned flautist Amith Nadig, this comprehensive program introduces you to the foundations of South Indian classical flute playing—from posture and breath control to ragas, talas, and traditional compositions.
Whether you’re picking up the flute for the first time or looking to build a strong base in Indian bamboo flute (bansuri) playing, this course is your perfect starting point. You’ll learn essential techniques like Janti Swaras, Daatu Swaras, Alankaras, and explore melodic (raga) and rhythmic (tala) structures at a beginner-friendly pace.
What You’ll Learn:
• Basics of Carnatic flute structure, posture & blowing techniques
• Understanding of Carnatic ragas, scales, and swara patterns
• Playing foundational ragas like Harikambhoji, Shankarabharanam, Kalyani, and more
• Introduction to Aadi Tala, Dhruba Tala, and other rhythmic cycles
• Core techniques like Sarali Varisais, Janti Swaras, and Daatu Swaras
• Practice routines to improve agility, breath control, and timing
• Learn traditional compositions in ragas Malahari and Mohana
Course Highlights:
• 5 structured chapters, 30+ lessons
• Guided video demonstrations with flute in hand
• Exercises in multiple speeds (kaalas) for progressive learning
• Suitable for learners of all ages – no prior experience required
• Ideal for beginners using a D-scale Carnatic flute
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to play traditional compositions with confidence and understand the core elements of Carnatic music theory and performance. Whether you aspire to perform, compose, or simply enjoy the spiritual richness of Indian classical music, this course sets the stage for a lifelong musical journey.
Course Options:
- STANDARD (Learn-at-Your-Own-Pace): Go through the course at your convenience, practicing and progressing at your own speed.
- CERTIFICATION: In addition to self-paced learning, gain access to exclusive Q&A sessions with Amith Nadig himself! These sessions offer a chance to clarify doubts, ask questions, and receive personal feedback on your playing with expert guidance.
Enroll Today on Livdemy!
Course Objectives
What You’ll Achieve
• Master the basics of Carnatic flute playing – including posture, finger placement, and breath control
• Understand the structure and tuning of the Carnatic bamboo flute (South Indian bansuri)
• Learn foundational swara exercises – Sarali Varisai, Janti Swaras, and Daatu Swaras for beginner practice
• Develop fluency in key Carnatic ragas such as Harikambhoji, Shankarabharanam, Mohanam, and Kalyani
• Practice tala cycles like Aadi Tala and Dhruba Tala to build rhythmic awareness
• Play simple geethams and exercises in multiple speeds (kaalas) for technique and tempo control
• Build confidence in pitch control and tonal clarity using the D-scale Carnatic flute
• Gain a strong foundation in Carnatic music theory – including raga structure, swarasthanas, and tala concepts
• Develop a consistent home practice routine tailored for beginner-level Carnatic flute learners
• Lay the groundwork for advanced Carnatic compositions and future performance or certification prep
Course Prerequisites
What You Need Before Starting
• No prior experience required – this is a beginner-friendly Carnatic flute course
• A D-scale Carnatic bamboo flute (8-hole South Indian flute) is recommended for all practice sessions
• Access to a quiet practice space and a mirror for posture, hand positioning, and breath control checks
• Basic listening skills and an interest in Indian classical music – helpful for recognizing ragas and swaras
• Willingness to practice daily for 15–20 minutes to build tone, muscle memory, and finger coordination
• Device with internet access to stream video lessons and follow along with guided exercises
• Notebook or digital app for jotting down raga structures, tala patterns, and personal progress notes
Course Content
Chapter 1
Foundations of Carnatic Flute
Lessons:
Introduction to the course
Basics of Carnatic Flute
Correct Technique to hold the flute
Playing the first note
Know the scales and Raga system
Practice lesson
Chapter 2
Building Musical Fluency
Lessons:
Tala System - Aadi Tala
Variations of Swaras
Demonstration of Popular Ragas
Different speeds of playing
Learning the basics of Sarali Versais
Practice lesson
Chapter 3
Mastering Note Techniques
Lessons:
Introduction to Janti Swaras
Practice on Janti Swaras
Introduction to Daatu Swaras
Daatu Swaras
How to practice
Practice lesson
Chapter 4
Foundations of Rhythm and Ornamentation
Lessons:
Introduction to Alankars
Introduction to Jatis
Introduction to Angas
Introduction to Dhruba Tala
Practice Lesson
Chapter 5
Exploring Ragas Through Composition
Lessons:
Recap of past concepts
Learning songs: Composition 1
Learning songs: Composition 2
Learning songs: Composition 3
LivDemy Pro
LivDemy is a next generation music learning platform that provides 250 hours of high-quality music lessons from celebrities to help you become an expert in your favorite genres.
There are over 1000+ video lessons available 24/7. You will also be able to attend live session with these celebrities on a regular basis.
Frequently
asked questions
What are these group classes?
Group classes are proper digital tuition, in a focused learning environment for you, and only a few others. You'll always be live with the teacher, sharing a virtual learning space, in real time.
How do I join this class?
It's simple! Once you register for a group class, you'll be given an option to select a batch. Once you complete the payment, you're in!
What batch should I pick?
We have batches based on the artist's availability. Pick any batch that suits your timing, and the experience will be the same across all batches.
How do I attend the classes?
You'll always have access to the group class from within the 'My Courses' section on your Dashboard. You can also come online on livdemy.com at your chosen batch time, and head to the class page! You can get to the Course Dashboard from there.
What happens when I miss a class?
We'll be recording the content for you in case you are unable to make it to the class. If you miss out on anything, you'll have access to the recording in your Course Dashboard. These class recordings are available upto 6 months from the day the class is over.
Do I get study material?
Your teacher might provide you study material to go along with particular lessons. On your class page, you have a lesson plan which would have the files you need to download.