Online Carnatic Music Grades & Certifications

Introduction

The major objective of Grade exams is to provide a flexible, structured approach to acquire knowledge & skills of carnatic vocals. We believe that these qualifications motivate and encourage candidates of all ages and levels to learn carnatic music a structured framework and progress systematically. It lays foundation & takes a well rounded approach to improve the skills.

Eligibility Criteria

The exams are open to all with no age restrictions or any qualifications. There is no requirement to have passed lower grades to appear for higher grades, however the grades show systematic progress and builds confidence in terms of mastery of the craft.

Duration

There are two parts in learning

Students will be taught / guided by the tutors (Guided Learning Hours)
Student will have to practise independently to master the taught lessons. (Independent learning hours)

Given below is the recommended time commitment needed across each grade, however this should be used more as a guidance.

Source: Qualification specifications for Graded Exams 2020-23, procedure College, London
Grade	Guided Learning Hours (GLH)	Independent Learning Hours (ILH)	Total Qualification Hours (GLH + ILH)
Initial / Beginner	16	48	48
Grade 1	16	64	78
Grade 2	24	96	120
Grade 3	24	96	120
Grade 4	24	96	120

Video Exams

We are a global and 100% online music education platform. We run all our regular classes online. It is our intention that distance should no longer be a barrier for learning music. This also means you can learn at your own pace and there is no travel in the entire process.

You have to record and submit videos for all the Grade Exams. Video exams give you the advantage of taking the exam from your home or a convenient place of your choice.

Rules for submitting the videos

The recording has to be continuous and NO editing is permitted. Any editing leads to disqualification. You can take another person’s help to record the exam.
You are permitted to use Shruthi box/ Tanpura/ App for your background. (No other backing track is allowed)
Recording to be continuous and you can use a good quality mobile device or camera. Please make sure the audio (voice) is captured properly.
If you make a mistake in a piece, you can restart as long as you are no more than ⅓ of the song/ exercise. You can make upto 2 mistakes.
You must not use video editing software to cut out takes or reduce the time between songs/ exercises. Do not worry about taking little time between songs/exercises.
The face of the person must be fully visible during the entire duration.
Candidates must introduce their full name and each song/ exercise they perform

Assessment & Marking

All assessments are carried out by neutral examiners except Beginner Grade. Beginner Grade will be assessed and marked by the candidate's own tutor. There are five levels of achievement as given below:

Source: Qualification specifications for Graded Exams 2020-23, Trinity College, London
Mark	Attainment Level
80-100	Distinction
70-79	Merit
60-69	First Class
45-59	Pass
0-44	Below Pass

The parameters for all the four levels remain same, however the weightage differs at each Grade. Please refer to the respective Grade Exams for more details of weightage on the parameters that will be assessed.

Beginner Set List 1

S.No	Song
1	Bhagyada lakshmi paramma
2	Mahishasura mardini
3	Shakti sahita ganpathim
4	Gayiye Ganapathi Jaga Vandhana
5	Jai Jai Sai
6	Maadu Meikum kanne
7	Shyamale meenakshi
8	Azhagu deivamaga vanthu
9	Paathi mathi nathi pothum
10	Vande Meenakshi
11	Om ennum pranava roopa nayaka

Beginner Set List 2

S.No	Song
1	Mahaganapthim
2	Kaliyuga Varadhan
3	Yaare Rangan
4	Raarevenu - Swarajathi
5	Shambasiva - Swarajathi
6	Raguvamsa sudha
7	Chinnachiru kiliye
8	Enna thavam
9	Panduriti kolu
10	Samaja varahamana
11	Kurai ondrum illai
12	Naanoru vilayaatu bommaya
13	Sri saraswati namo
14	Asainthaadum mayilondru
15	Gajavathana karuna
16	Sri Rama padama
17	Aadi kondar
18	Unnai nambinen aiya
19	Shanthi milava vendum
20	Enna kavi paadinalum

Self Study	With Tutor	Syllabus	Exam	Duration (Minutes)	Examiner	Max Marks	Shruthi/ pitch	Thala/ Rythm	Pronounciation
BEGINNER GRADE
48 hours	16 hours	Sarali varisai - 14 (3 Speeds)	Technical Exercise	15	Tutor	25	10	8	7
		Song - Beginner Set List 1	Song 1	1		25	10	8	7
		Song - Beginner Set List 1	Song 2	1		25	10	8	7
		Any other song (tutor/ student choice)	Song 3	1		25	10	8	7
GRADE 1
64 hours	16 hours	Sarali varisai - 1-14Ex (3 Speeds)	Technical Exercise 1	10	External Tutor	20	8	8	4
		Janta Varisai (3 Speeds)	Technical Exercise 2	30		20	8	8	4
		Song - Beginner Set List 1	Song 1	1.5		20	8	8	4
		Song - Beginner Set List 1	Song 2	1.5		20	8	8	4
		Any other song (tutor/ student choice)	Song 3	1.5		20	8	8	4
GRADE 2
96 hours	24 hours	Dattu Varisai : Mayamalavagowla (3 speeds)	Technical Exercise 1	15	External Tutor	20	8	8	4
		Melasthayi Varisai : Mayamalavagowla (3 speeds)	Technical Exercise 2	12		20	8	8	4
		Song - Beginner Set List 1	Song 1	2		20	8	8	4
		Song - Beginner Set List 1	Song 2	2		20	8	8	4
		Any other song (tutor/ student choice)	Song 3	2		20	8	8	4
GRADE 3
96 hours	24 hours	Sapta Thala Alankaras	Technical Exercise 1	25	External Tutor	40	16	16	8
		Song - Beginner Set List 2	Song 1	2		20	8	8	4
		Song - Beginner Set List 2	Song 2	2		20	8	8	4
		Any other song (tutor/ student choice)	Song 3	2		20	8	8	4
GRADE 4
96 hours	24 hours	Geetham	Technical Exercise 1		External Tutor	20	8	8	4
		Mayamalavagowla (sree gananatha or kereya neeranu)
		Suddha Saveri (Analekaraunni)
		Mohanam (Varaveena)
		Saveri (Janakasutha)
		Notuswaram (Sankarabaranam)	Technical Exercise 2			20	8	8	4
		Song - Beginner Set List 2	Song 1	2		20	8	8	4
		Song - Beginner Set List 2	Song 2	2		20	8	8	4
		Any other song (tutor/ student choice)	Song 3	2		20	8	8	4

Course Design

The course has been designed by Ms Sharumathi C with inputs from other tutors. She has been teaching Carnatic music for 8 years and has been learning for more than 14 years and still continues to learn.

She is a Gold Medallist & University Topper in BA (Music) & Gold Medallist in MA (Music) & currently pursuing Doctorate in Music.