Welcome to #bandurelis – Your Sanctuary for Simple & Soulful Music Lessons.
My mission is simple: to help you learn and play beautiful mantras and kirtans without complexity. Music is a gift meant to be shared, and I believe everyone, regardless of their background, should experience the joy of playing the harmonium and guitar.
What you will find here: • Easy-to-Follow Tutorials: Step-by-step guides for popular mantras and kirtans. • The "Voice Leading" Advantage: Techniques that minimize finger movement for smoother, faster learning. • Dual Instrument Support: Lessons covering both Harmonium and Guitar chords.
This is a non-commercial project fueled by the desire to spread the practice of Bhakti and sacred sound. There are no sales or hidden agendas—just tools for your personal practice and spiritual growth.
Join our community: Subscribe and let’s keep the kirtan alive, one simple chord at a time. Let the music lead the way.
Bandurelis
Haribol everyone,
I’ve been thinking about this community space and I really want it to be a place where we can all simply help each other. For me, Bandurelis isn't about self-promotion, it’s about our shared kirtan journey and growing together through music and devotion.
If you’ve discovered something helpful lately—maybe a trick to learn a melody faster or a way to keep your harmonium in good shape—please feel free to share it here. And if you’re just starting out and feel stuck with a certain chord or a strumming pattern, don’t hesitate to ask. I hope that we can all jump in and answer each other's questions whenever we can.
I’d also love to hear what kind of melodies or tutorials would be most helpful for you right now. Let’s keep this a simple, supportive space for sharing spiritual energy and practical tips.
Wishing you all a beautiful day full of music. 🙏
1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 1
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Bandurelis
Thoughts on how to start with "Harinam Sankirtan"
Hello everyone! I’ve put together a few thoughts for those who feel the calling to lead a kirtan but might feel a bit hesitant or are wondering where to begin. These aren't strict rules—just some observations from my own practice that I wanted to share with our Bandurelis community.
First, and perhaps most importantly—don’t rush into the chords. Often, beginners grab the harmonium and focus entirely on hitting the right keys, forgetting their own voice. Start by finding a melody that truly resonates with you and fits your natural vocal range. In my videos, I usually provide 2–3 different keys for the same kirtan—try them all until you find where your voice feels most free.
A quick note on volume: I’ve noticed that when we sing at maximum power, we often lose that vocal softness and flexibility that allows us to express true emotion. Kirtan isn’t about shouting. By singing at a moderate volume, you leave room for the heart to speak and for the subtle nuances of the Maha Mantra to come through.
When you start leading, keep in mind that video tutorials are usually shortened versions. In a real setting, a kirtan typically lasts anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. Try to sing each part (usually there are two to four) at least 4 times. If you feel the audience hasn't quite caught the melody yet, don’t rush to the next part—stay there, help them, and gently sing along with them.
Increasing the tempo should feel natural. During the second "round," once everyone feels confident, you can signal the mridanga and karatālas (cymbals) to pick up the pace. It’s interesting to see the different traditions here: in ISKCON kirtans, we usually slow down and find stillness at the end, while in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, it often builds up to an energetic, joyful "Haribol!". Both ways are beautiful; it’s all about feeling what the moment needs.
Kirtan is bhakti yoga, where sincerity will always be more important than a perfect chord. So don’t be discouraged if things don't go perfectly the first time.
I would love to hear about your experiences. Do you have your own "secrets" for learning a new melody? And if you have any questions regarding the kirtan lessons on this channel—feel free to ask, and let's find the answers together.
Let’s chant and grow together! ✨
1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 0
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