🎹 1st Year Piano Syllabus (Custom for Prayag Sangeet Samiti Style)
Category: Light Music / Sugam Sangeet – Instrumental (Piano)
Level: Prarambhik / First Year
Objective: To build foundational technique, theoretical understanding, and introduce Indian and Western musical elements on the piano.
📘 Theory (Lekhank / Written Paper)
Indian Music Theory
Introduction to Swaras: Shuddh and Komal
Saptak System: Mandra, Madhya, Taar
Aroh & Avroh, Pakad, Vadi & Samvadi (of simple ragas)
Basic Taal system: Teentaal, Dadra
Introduction to notation system (Bhatkhande / Hindustani Style)
Western Music Theory
Staff notation: Treble Clef
Note names, values (semibreve to quaver), bar lines
C Major scale – notes and fingering (1 octave)
Time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4
Dynamics: forte, piano, mezzo-forte
Introduction to rests and ties
🎼 Scales & Exercises
C Major Scale (1 octave, hands separate)
G Major Scale (1 octave, hands separate)
A Natural Minor Scale (1 octave, hands separate)
Simple arpeggios: C Major and A Minor
Hanon exercises: No. 1 for finger strength and agility
Finger drills for 5-finger hand positions (C, G, A)
🎵 Repertoire / Practice Pieces
2 Western Melodies:
"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
"Ode to Joy" (Beethoven)
1–2 Indian Light Melodies (playable on piano):
Bhajan or patriotic tune (e.g., “Vaishnav Jan To” or “Saare Jahan Se Achha”)
1 simple piece with both hands (melody + harmony using primary chords C, G, F)
🎧 Aural & Rhythm Training
Identifying high/low pitches
Singing back simple note patterns (Sa Re Ga or Do Re Mi)
Clap and play rhythms from Teentaal & Dadra
Recognizing loud/soft and fast/slow passages
Basic rhythm dictation in 4/4
🎹 Other Practical Skills
Proper hand posture and seating position
Using correct fingering (1-2-3-4-5 patterns)
Simple improvisation using 5 notes
Basic care and understanding of the instrument
Playing with metronome for tempo control
✅ Internal/External Assessment Components
Practical performance (2 songs + 1 scale)
Viva voce on swaras, ragas, and staff notation
Written test (short theory + rhythm)
Ear test (basic)
🎹 2nd Year Piano Syllabus – Custom for Prayag Sangeet Samiti Style
Category: Light Music / Sugam Sangeet – Instrumental (Piano)
Level: 2nd Year (Equivalent to Praveshika Purna)
Objective: To strengthen foundational technique, develop two-hand coordination, and increase repertoire, theory, and aural abilities with light classical flavor.
📘 Theory (Lekhank / Written Paper)
Indian Music Theory
Revision of Swaras, Aroh-Avroh, Vadi-Samvadi
Introduction to 2 new ragas (e.g., Raga Bhupali, Raga Kafi):
Aroh/Avroh
Pakad
Basic Bandish-style phrasing on piano
Taal study: Teentaal, Dadra, Keharwa (with hand claps and bol)
Concept of Taal cycles and Laya (Vilambit, Madhya, Drut)
Western Music Theory
Notation: Treble & Bass clef reading (hands together intro)
C Major, G Major, D Major scales notation
Primary Chords (I, IV, V) in C and G major
Simple chord progressions: I–IV–V–I
Introduction to accidentals (sharp, flat, natural)
Time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, and 6/8 (basic)
Simple musical terms: Allegro, Andante, Legato, Staccato
🎼 Scales & Technical Exercises
Scales (2 octaves, hands separate):
C Major, G Major, D Major
A Minor (natural & harmonic)
Arpeggios (1 octave, hands separate):
C Major, A Minor
Hanon Exercises: Nos. 1–5
Basic two-hand coordination drills
Simple contrary motion (C Major only)
🎵 Repertoire / Performance Pieces
2 Western Classical or Folk Pieces:
Examples: "Minuet in G" (simplified), Irish or German folk melody
1–2 Indian Melodies:
Bhajan, Patriotic song, or Raga-based melody (e.g., Bhupali on piano)
1 Two-Handed Piece:
Simple melody with left-hand chord accompaniment
Chord progression: I–IV–V–I in C or G Major
Optional: One duet piece (student + teacher)
🎧 Aural & Rhythm Training
Recognizing intervals: Unison, Major 2nd, Perfect 4th
Clap and play Teentaal, Dadra, Keharwa
Echo rhythmic patterns (2–4 bars)
Identify note direction (higher/lower), note values by sound
Call-and-response (teacher plays phrase, student plays back)
🎹 Other Practical Skills
Pedal introduction (basic use of sustain pedal)
Left-hand rhythm patterns (root-fifth or chord blocks)
Playing to metronome (60–80 BPM range)
Performance etiquette and posture
Introduction to basic improvisation using scale tones
✅ Assessment Components
Performance: 2 prepared songs, 1 Indian melody, 1 scale/arpeggio
Viva: Raga structure, chord identification, theory basics
Written Exam: Staff notation, taals, musical terms
Aural Test: Ear training patterns, taals, interval ID
🎹 3rd Year Piano Syllabus – Custom for Prayag Sangeet Samiti Style
Category: Light Music / Sugam Sangeet – Instrumental (Piano)
Level: Third Year (Madhyama Pratham Equivalent)
Objective: To develop melodic phrasing, rhythmic control, deeper theoretical knowledge, and two-hand coordination in both Indian and Western musical frameworks.
📘 Theory (Lekhank / Written Paper)
Indian Music Theory
In-depth study of 3 ragas (any):
Yaman, Kafi, Desh, or Bhopali
Aroh–Avroh, Pakad, Chalan, and Vadi–Samvadi
How to adapt and express ragas on the piano
Definition and practical understanding of:
Alap, Taan, Meend, Gamak (in piano adaptation)
Knowledge of taals: Teentaal, Keharwa, Rupak
Their Theka, Taali–Khali, and structure
Western Music Theory
Staff notation: Reading both treble and bass clefs together
Major & Minor Scales: Construction & key signatures (up to 2 sharps/flats)
Introduction to Relative Keys
Primary & Secondary chords: I, IV, V, vi in C, G, D Major
Cadences: Perfect, Plagal
Musical terms: Legato, Staccato, Fermata, Crescendo, Diminuendo, Moderato, Allegro
🎼 Scales & Technical Work
Scales (2 octaves, hands together):
C Major, G Major, D Major
A Minor (natural, harmonic)
Arpeggios (1 octave, hands together):
C Major, A Minor
Hanon Exercises: Nos. 1–10
Simple broken chord patterns (LH accompaniment style)
Introduction to contrary motion (C Major & A Minor)
🎵 Repertoire / Performance Pieces
Western Pieces (at least 2):
From beginner classical works (e.g., simplified Mozart, folk tunes, or Sonatina excerpts)
Must include one hands-together piece with expressive dynamics
Indian Light Classical (at least 2):
1 Bhajan, 1 film/classical-based melody (e.g., based on Raga Yaman or Bhairavi)
Must demonstrate melody + chordal or drone-like left hand
Fusion or Creative Work (optional but encouraged):
Student may compose or arrange a short piece combining Indian melody with Western harmony
🎧 Aural & Rhythm Training
Identify: Major/Minor triads, simple intervals (M2, P4, P5)
Clap and play Teentaal, Keharwa, and Rupak
Echo back short rhythmic or melodic phrases
Sight-clap exercises (2–4 bar rhythms in 4/4 and 3/4)
Listen and identify basic Raga mood (if guided)
🎹 Other Practical Skills
Chords with rhythm: Left-hand chord blocks or broken patterns
Use of sustain pedal in slow/legato passages
Play with metronome (60–90 BPM)
Sight-reading: 4–8 bar pieces in C or G Major
Simple improvisation: Over C major scale or Raga notes
✅ Assessment Components
Performance: 3 prepared pieces (1 Indian, 1 Western, 1 free choice)
Scales & Arpeggios
Viva: Raga theory, western notation knowledge, taals
Written Test: Notation, scale formulas, terms, raga basics
Aural: Intervals, rhythm claps, listening & response
🎹 4th Year Piano Syllabus
📘 Theory
Western Classical Concepts:
Knowledge of scales (Major, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor)
Key signatures up to 5 sharps and 5 flats
Triads and inversions (Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented)
Intervals: major, minor, perfect, augmented, and diminished
Time signatures: simple and compound
Musical forms: Binary, Ternary, Rondo
Brief history of Classical to Romantic periods (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven)
Indian Classical Integration (where applicable):
Introduction to Raag Bhairav and Raag Yaman for melody study
Concept of Taal (Teentaal and Dadra) for rhythmic awareness
Comparison of Notation: Western staff vs Indian sargam
Musical Notation:
Ability to read and write music using Western notation
Sight-reading of basic melodies and rhythms
Knowledge of musical terms (tempo, dynamics, articulation)
🎹 Practical
Technical Exercises:
All scales and arpeggios (hands together, 2 octaves, moderate tempo)
Hanon exercises (selected) for finger strength and agility
Chord progressions (I-IV-V-I) in C, G, D, F, Bb major
Pieces (Minimum 3):
One Classical piece (e.g., Minuet by Bach or Sonatina by Clementi)
One Romantic/Modern piece (e.g., simple Tchaikovsky, Burgmüller)
One Indian melody adapted to piano (e.g., Bhairav-based composition)
Sight Reading & Ear Training:
Reading simple passages on sight
Clapping back rhythms and singing intervals
Recognizing major/minor chords and basic melodies by ear
Performance Practice:
Solo performance of at least one memorized piece
Duet or group performance (optional, for ensemble skills)
🎹 5th Year Piano Syllabus – Custom for Prayag Sangeet Samiti Style
Category: Light/Classical Music – Piano
Level: 5th Year (Equivalent to Sangeet Visharad Pratham)
Objective: To advance technique, expressive phrasing, cross-cultural understanding (ragas & harmony), and performance readiness for examination and recital.
📘 Theory (Written Paper)
🎼 Indian Classical Theory
Raga Study (any 3 from below):
Raga Bhopali, Bageshree, Kafi, Bhairavi, Yaman
Detailed analysis: Aroh–Avroh, Vadi–Samvadi, Chalan, Time of performance, Ras (mood)
Structure of Bandish and Lakshan Geet
Introduction to light classical forms: Dadra, Thumri, Tappa (structure and adaptation for piano)
Taal Theka & structure: Teentaal, Ektaal, Dadra, Keharwa, Jhaptal
Concept of Laya (Vilambit, Madhya, Drut) with relation to piano phrasing
Notation in Bhatkhande and staff format
🎼 Western Music Theory
Key signatures: Up to 4 sharps/flats
Scales: All major and minor (harmonic/melodic) up to 3 sharps/flats
Chords: All primary chords (I, IV, V, vi), minor & 7th chords (dom7, m7), basic diminished
Cadences: Perfect, Imperfect, Plagal, Interrupted
Chord progressions (ii–V–I, I–vi–IV–V)
Transposition and modulation basics
Musical forms: Binary, Ternary, Rondo (ABACA)
Italian terms: tempo, expression, articulation
🎼 Technical Exercises
Scales:
All major & minor (natural, harmonic, melodic) up to 3 sharps/flats
2 octaves, hands together, legato & staccato
Arpeggios:
Major, minor, dominant 7th – hands together, root & inversions
Hanon Exercises: Nos. 21–30
Broken chord drills in root & inversions
Dynamics practice: Crescendo, Diminuendo, Subito forte/piano
🎵 Performance Pieces
🎶 Western Pieces (Any 2):
Classical: One Baroque/Classical (e.g., Bach, Mozart, Kuhlau)
Romantic or early modern (e.g., Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Kabalevsky)
Minimum level: Grade 3–4 equivalent
🎶 Indian Repertoire (Any 2):
Bhajan, Ghazal, or Film Song based on learned ragas
Melody with chordal accompaniment or rhythmic drone on LH
At least one must be notated by the student in dual format (sargam + staff)
🎶 Creative Piece:
Original composition or fusion arrangement:
Indian raga with Western harmony
Theme and variation format or short raga improvisation with chordal backing
🎧 Aural & Rhythm Training
Interval recognition: Major, Minor, Perfect, and Tritone
Chord quality recognition: Major, minor, dom7, diminished
Echo rhythmic patterns in 6/8, 3/4, 5/8
Identify taals by listening: Keharwa, Dadra, Teentaal, Rupak
Melody playback (4–6 note phrases by ear)
🎹 Other Practical Skills
Sight Reading: 8–16 bar pieces in keys up to 3 sharps/flats
Harmonizing Indian melodies with Western chords
Pedal control: Legato & expressive pedaling
Playing from lead sheet with rhythmic LH
Raga improvisation with Western chord vamp (e.g., I–IV–V loop with Bhairavi phrases)
✅ Assessment Format
Component Description
Performance 2 Western pieces, 2 Indian light-classical, 1 original/composed/improvised work
Technical Scales, arpeggios, chord inversions, Hanon exercises
Theory Indian & Western music theory, forms, ragas, chords
Viva Voce Explanation of pieces, raga theory, rhythm, and improvisation
Ear Training Intervals, rhythms, taals, melodic playback
🎹 6th Year Piano Syllabus – Custom for Prayag Sangeet Samiti Style
Category: Advanced Light/Classical Music – Piano
Level: Sixth Year (Sangeet Visharad Purna or equivalent)
Objective: Mastery of technique, nuanced interpretation of Indian and Western compositions, complex theory, and confident improvisation.
📘 Theory (Written and Oral)
🎼 Indian Classical Music Theory
Detailed study of 6 ragas, including at least 2 complex or rare ragas:
Example ragas: Shankara, Darbari Kanada, Marwa, Malkauns, Yaman Kalyan
Comprehensive analysis: Aroh–Avroh, Vadi–Samvadi, Pakad, Chalan, Time, Ras, and historical context
Deep knowledge of taal cycles up to 16 beats and compound taals (e.g., Jhoomra, Dhamar)
Detailed forms: Khyal, Thumri, Tappa – structure, improvisation framework for piano
Notation proficiency: Staff notation with Indian sargam integration
Raga modulation and fusion theory
Advanced study of laya and its use in performance and improvisation
🎼 Western Music Theory
Key signatures up to 5 sharps/flats
Modes: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian
Advanced chords: diminished, augmented, extended 7ths (9ths, 13ths)
Modulation techniques and secondary dominants
Form: Sonata form, theme and variations, fugue basics
Counterpoint principles and voice leading
Advanced rhythm: polyrhythms, syncopation, hemiola
🎼 Technical Exercises
All scales (major, harmonic minor, melodic minor) in 3–4 octaves, hands together
Arpeggios: all types including diminished, augmented, and 7th chords (root and inversions)
Hanon exercises Nos. 31–40 or equivalent advanced finger drills
Advanced broken chords, double thirds, octaves, and chord clusters
Finger independence and articulation drills (staccato, legato, portato)
🎵 Repertoire / Performance
🎶 Western Repertoire (Any 3):
One advanced Classical/Baroque (e.g., Bach Invention or Prelude)
One Romantic or Impressionist (Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff simplified)
One 20th Century or Contemporary piece (Kabalevsky, Bartók, or Indian fusion piece)
🎶 Indian Classical / Light Classical Pieces (Any 3):
Bandish or composition in chosen ragas
Presentation of a Khyal or Thumri style piece adapted for piano
Fusion piece: raga-based melody with complex Western harmony and improvisation
🎶 Creative Work:
Extended improvisation using ragas and Western harmonic concepts
Original composition showcasing mastery of both traditions
Theme and variations or a raga fantasia
🎧 Aural & Rhythm Training
Complex interval and chord recognition (including diminished, augmented, extended chords)
Identify and replicate advanced rhythmic patterns and taals
Raga mood recognition and modulation by ear
Polyphonic listening exercises
Transcription of short melodies and rhythms by ear
🎹 Other Practical Skills
Advanced sight-reading of complex scores
Real-time harmonization and chord substitution
Pedal technique mastery for tone color and legato
Ensemble playing and accompaniment
Detailed raga improvisation and alap development on piano
Use of ornamentations (meend, gamak) adapted for piano style