Kirtan Leader Blog

In November I wrote a blog post on how to pump your bellows – aka, left hand technique (assuming you’re playing right handed).

This blog post offers a few do’s and don’ts for your right hand...

A COMMON STORY

Seems like every week I hear a story with the following elements from one of our Kirtan Leader Institute studente:

Part 1:    I bought my harmonium a year ago in the hopes of learning how to chant at...

I frequently receive questions about the connection between Kirtan and yoga, which is confusing for many. Below are a few thoughts. 

1. While most in the West associate yoga with physical postures (asana), yoga has...

It was her first lesson, and very first time playing the harmonium.

I instructed her to place her thumb on the middle C, and pinky on the middle G. She squeezed the bellows with her left hand. A broad smile...

A Kirtan and Bhajan are closely related. Both are sung, with musical instruments, use Divine Names or Scriptures, and are oriented towards creating connection with the Divine. 

I like to think of Kirtan as a short phrase...

Coltrane, Ray Charles and Elvis

As a musician I struggle with the notion of cultural appropriation. The great jazz saxophonist John Coltrane was influenced not only by a rapidly evolving jazz tradition, but also Indian...

Kirtan is a mystery.

We chant mantras (words/syllables) and incredible things happen such as:

1. We feel more connected to our self, and others. 
2. We feel a connection with the Divine. 
3. Essential qualities of presence,...

Krishna Das popped into Google in 2017 to deliver an hour long talk and chant session. 

Click HERE to learn from a master about the Art of Kirtan. 

Lots of folks ask me about Kirtan lessons, and Kirtan classes. They want to know about Kirtan education, and Kirtan schools. Their hope is to learn to chant at home (and perhaps share with others) so they can get their Bhakti...

In these times of Covid, experts say singing together is quite risky.

I've received lots of questions about how to practice Kirtan in the face of these risks.

Short answer... while chanting together at distance...