North Indian musicianship is all about solfege and scale permutations. I use these exercises to get students comfortable with (Indian or European) solfege, to increase their sensitivity to the sound and tuning of intervals (we always sing with a drone), and to practice melodic improvisation. They are simple enough to teach orally.

 

Keep in mind that the printed exercises are generally just models for elaboration and modular combination. For example, you can combine lessons 3A and 4A, systematically omitting notes in the chain exercise. Then you can throw in lesson 5A, to practice singing altered notes as well. &c.

 

When performing the simple diatonic exercises, students tend to have a harder time with solfege syllable fluency than hitting the pitches. I often make them practice speaking the solfege syllables before adding the notes.

 

The one-page introduction has more information about the exercises' source and context.

 

Click here for a PDF.

 

---Alex