iShala – Indian music app for Riyaaz/Practice
iShala – Indian music app for Riyaaz/Practice
If you are learning or practicing Indian classical music, you know how important it is to have a good accompaniment for your Riyaaz or practice sessions. You need a tanpura for drone, a tabla for rhythm, a swarmandal for melody, a harmonium for reference notes, and a manjeera for accentuation. But carrying all these instruments around can be cumbersome and expensive. That’s where iShala comes in.
iShala is an Indian music mobile app that provides flawless accompaniment for classical music practice, be it vocal, instrumental or rhythmic. It features:
- tanpura (x6)
- tabla
- swarmandal
- harmonium
- manjeera (x3)
All these instruments are fully customizable in practice sessions that can then be loaded on demand. It effectively replaces a tabla machine, a lehra player and an electronic tanpura. It is therefore an ideal tool for anyone practicing Indian classical music, or just wishing to jam along virtual Indian musicians on any other musical style.
iShala includes over 60 rhythmic cycles, melodies in more than 110 ragas and you with your pitch accuracy and note recognition. You can select the harmonium sound that you like, and adjust its pitch, volume, and pan. You can also fine-tune the tuning of each key by using the sliders on the screen. You can even change the octave range of the harmonium by using the buttons on the screen.
Manjeera
The manjeera is a pair of small cymbals that provides a metallic sound for Indian classical music. It is used to accentuate the first beat or sam of the rhythmic cycle or taal. The manjeera is played by striking the cymbals together with fingers.
iShala offers three different manjeera sounds, each with its own tone and quality. You can select the manjeera that suits your taste and style, and adjust its pitch, volume, and pan. You can also fine-tune the tuning of each cymbal by using the sliders on the screen. You can even change the sound quality of the manjeera by choosing from three different modes: natural, studio, or concert.
Session settings
Once you have selected and customized your instruments, you can save your session settings for future use. You can also load and edit your saved sessions anytime you want. iShala allows you to create up to 10 session presets, each with its own name and icon. You can access your session presets by tapping on the menu button on the top left corner of the screen.
How to improve your pitch accuracy with iShala
One of the challenges of learning and practicing Indian classical music is to sing or play in tune with the accompaniment. Indian classical music uses microtones or shrutis that are not found in Western music. Therefore, it is important to train your ear and voice or instrument to match these subtle frequencies.
iShala can help you improve your pitch accuracy by using its pitch detection feature. This feature allows iShala to listen to your voice or instrument through the microphone of your device, and compare it with the reference pitch of the accompaniment. It then shows you a visual feedback on the screen, indicating whether you are in tune, sharp, or flat.
To use this feature, you need to enable it in the settings menu of iShala. You can also adjust the sensitivity and tolerance of the pitch detection, as well as the display mode and color scheme of the feedback. You can then practice singing or playing along with iShala, and watch how your pitch accuracy improves over time.
How to create your own ragas with iShala
A raga is a melodic framework for Indian classical music. It consists of a set of notes or swaras that define its scale or mode, as well as rules and conventions for how to use them in compositions and improvisations. There are hundreds of ragas in Indian classical music, each with its own mood, emotion, and character.
iShala offers melodies in more than 110 ragas, covering all major scales and modes. However, if you want to create your own ragas, you can do that too with iShala. iShala allows you to create custom ragas by adjusting the notes and shrutis of existing ragas.
To create a custom raga, you need to select a base raga from the swarmandal menu of iShala. Then, you need to tap on the edit button on the top right corner of the screen. This will open a screen where you can see and modify the notes and shrutis of the base raga. You can change the notes by tapping on them, and change the shrutis by using the sliders below them. You can also name your custom raga and save it for future use.
How to record and share your Riyaaz with iShala
If you want to record and share your practice sessions with iShala, you can do that too. iShala allows you to record your voice or instrument along with the accompaniment of iShala. You can then export your recordings as audio files or share them on social media platforms.
To record your practice session, you need to tap on the record button on the top right corner of the screen. This will start the recording process, and you will see a red dot and a timer on the screen. You can then sing or play along with iShala, and stop the recording when you are done. You can also pause and resume the recording anytime you want.
To access your recordings, you need to tap on the menu button on the top left corner of the screen, and then tap on the recordings option. This will open a screen where you can see and play your recordings. You can also rename, delete, or export your recordings by tapping on the icons next to them. To export your recordings, you can choose from various formats, such as MP3, WAV, or M4A. To share your recordings, you can choose from various platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, or Email.
How to access more features with iShala Premium
iShala is a free app that offers a lot of features for your Riyaaz or practice. However, if you want to access more features and support the development of iShala, you can upgrade to iShala Premium. iShala Premium is a subscription-based service that offers the following benefits:
- Additional tanpuras: You can choose from 12 different tanpuras instead of 6.
- Low pitch tabla: You can play tabla rhythms at lower pitches than the standard ones.
- More manjeeras: You can choose from 9 different manjeeras instead of 3.
- No ads: You can enjoy iShala without any interruptions or distractions from ads.
To upgrade to iShala Premium, you need to tap on the menu button on the top left corner of the screen, and then tap on the upgrade option. This will open a screen where you can see and select the subscription plan that suits your needs and budget. You can choose from monthly, quarterly, or yearly plans, and pay securely with your credit card or PayPal account.
What are the reviews and ratings of iShala?
iShala is one of the most popular and trusted apps for Indian classical music practice. It has received thousands of positive reviews and ratings from users across various platforms, such as Google Play Store, App Store, and Amazon Appstore. Here are some of the feedback from users of iShala:
“iShala is an amazing app for practicing Indian classical music. It has everything you need for a perfect Riyaaz session. The sound quality is superb, the interface is user-friendly, and the customization options are endless. I highly recommend this app to anyone who wants to learn or improve their Indian classical music skills.”
“iShala is a must-have app for any Indian classical music lover. It is like having a virtual band of musicians with you at all times. The pitch detection feature is very helpful for correcting your mistakes and improving your intonation. The recording and sharing feature is very fun and motivating. I love this app and use it every day.”
“iShala is a wonderful app for Indian classical music practice. It is very easy to use and has a lot of features that make Riyaaz enjoyable and effective. The instruments sound very realistic and natural, and the ragas and taals are very accurate and authentic. I am very happy with this app and appreciate the developers for creating it.”
What are the alternatives to iShala?
iShala is not the only app that offers accompaniment for Indian classical music practice. There are some other apps that provide similar features as iShala, such as Riyaz, TaalMala, Lehra Studio, etc. Here are some of the comparisons and contrasts between iShala and some of its alternatives:
App | Features | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
iShala | Tanpura (x6), tabla (x60), swarmandal (x110), harmonium, manjeera (x3), pitch detection, recording and sharing, custom ragas. | Realistic sound quality, user-friendly interface, customizable settings, free version available. | Premium version required for more features, no vocal or instrumental lessons. |
Riyaz | Vocal lessons (x500), feedback and analytics, gamified learning experience , live sessions with experts, community challenges. | Interactive and personalized learning, feedback and analytics, gamified and social learning, free version available. | Premium version required for more features, limited accompaniment options, no instrumental lessons. |
TaalMala | Tabla (x200), pakhawaj (x20), lehra (x40), tanpura (x4), swarmandal, manjeera, recording and sharing, custom taals and lehras. | Wide range of rhythms and melodies, realistic sound quality, customizable settings, one-time purchase. | No vocal or instrumental lessons, no pitch detection, no free version available. |
Lehra Studio | Lehra (x100), tabla (x50), tanpura (x2), swarmandal, recording and sharing, custom lehras. | Realistic sound quality, user-friendly interface, customizable settings, free version available. | Premium version required for more features, no vocal or instrumental lessons, no pitch detection, no manjeera. |
As you can see, each app has its own strengths and weaknesses. You can choose the app that best suits your needs and preferences. However, if you are looking for a comprehensive and versatile app that can provide you with flawless accompaniment for your Riyaaz or practice sessions, iShala is a great choice.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored how iShala can help you with your Riyaaz or practice of Indian classical music. We have seen how iShala can provide you with realistic and customizable accompaniment of various instruments, such as tanpura, tabla, swarmandal, harmonium, and manjeera. We have also seen how iShala can help you improve your pitch accuracy, create your own ragas, record and share your practice sessions, and access more features with iShala Premium. We have also looked at some of the reviews and ratings of iShala, as well as some of the alternatives to iShala that you can try out.
iShala is an Indian music mobile app that is designed to make your Riyaaz or practice sessions more enjoyable and effective. It is an ideal tool for anyone practicing Indian classical music, or just wishing to jam along virtual Indian musicians on any other musical style. It is available for Android and iOS devices, and you can download it from the Google Play Store or the App Store.
If you are interested in learning or improving your Indian classical music skills, why not give iShala a try? You can start with the free version and see how it works for you. You can also upgrade to iShala Premium if you want to access more features and support the development of iShala. You will be amazed by how much iShala can enhance your Riyaaz or practice experience.
So what are you waiting for? Download iShala today and start your musical journey with iShala!
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about iShala:
- How much does iShala cost?
- What devices are compatible with iShala?
- How can I contact the support team of iShala?
- How can I learn more about Indian classical music?
- Introduction to Indian Classical Music by Ramesh Gangolli: This is a free online course that covers the fundamentals of Indian classical music, such as scales, ragas, taals, instruments, styles, and forms.
- Indian Classical Music: A Beginner’s Guide by Ravi Shankar: This is a book that introduces the reader to the origins and evolution of Indian classical music, as well as the main elements and concepts of the music.
- Raga Revelry by Aneesh Pradhan and Shubha Mudgal: This is a podcast that explores the diversity and beauty of Indian classical music, featuring interviews with musicians, composers, scholars, and enthusiasts.
iShala is a free app that offers a lot of features for your Riyaaz or practice. However, if you want to access more features and support the development of iShala, you can upgrade to iShala Premium. iShala Premium is a subscription-based service that costs $4.99 per month, $9.99 per quarter, or $29.99 per year.
iShala is compatible with Android and iOS devices. You need to have Android 4.1 or higher or iOS 9.0 or higher to run iShala on your device. You also need to have a microphone and speakers or headphones to use iShala.
If you have any questions or issues with iShala, you can contact the support team of iShala by emailing them at support@ishalapp.com. You can also visit their website at www.ishalapp.com for more information and resources about iShala.
If you want to learn more about Indian classical music, you can check out some of the online courses and resources that are available on platforms such as Coursera , Udemy, YouTube, etc. You can also find some books and podcasts that can teach you the basics and history of Indian classical music. Some of the examples are:
I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about iShala and Indian classical music. If you have any feedback or suggestions for me, please let me know in the comments below. Thank you for reading and happy Riyaaz!