As you start
These are some helpful tips when you start your music journey...
Sing with a relaxed mindset and not like a machine. You have to enjoy what you're doing. Music is fun!
Posture: Sit up straight. Sit on the floor or in your chair and keep your back comfortable but straight. Hold your neck back, not sticking out, but relaxed. Rest your hands loosely so that you can perform the Thala on your thighs or on the table.
Don't strain your voice. If you can't get a note, sing it softly or shift your Shruthi down. With regular practice you will be able to hit the higher notes more comfortably.
Use an electric Shruti box or a Shruti box App from Google or from the Apple App Store.
Male voices typically has lower sounds and the Shruti box may be set in C, while female voices may be set in G#.
Now sing Sa, Pa, and high Sa. The Sa should match the voice from the Shruti box.
When you sing, hold each note as long as possible. Doing breathing exercises may help to sing hold notes for a long time. Try to get the note smooth and even, without wavering.
Choose a raaga for your beginning exercises. They are usually sung in the raaga MaayaMaalavaGowLa, ShankaraaBharanam or any other raaga that has 7 notes in its scale.
When you have practiced the lessons and know them well, you can sing them in akaaram. This is when you use the sound aaaa... instead of the notes sa ri ga ma pa da ni for your exercises.
Each Lesson in this Self-study guide may take a few weeks to complete, depending on the time that spent on these lessons. Try to practice at least 3 days every week. Consistency and commitment matters.
Lower notes are typically sung from the Stomach and upper notes are sung from the Head. Here is a video that explains singing from the Stomach and singing from the Head - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XNZECkuN2U
In this site, the lower notes are written in Capital letters and the Upper notes are written with an acute accent.
a. Example: S R G M P D N and Ś Ŕ Ǵ Ḿ Ṕ