Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Intro to Harmonium video series

There's a great new video series over at Kirtan Central all about playing kirtan music on harmonium. It includes five videos, covering everything from “How do I pick out the right harmonium for me?” and “What do the buttons do?” all the way to “How can I learn to play a kirtan song on harmonium?”

You can watch the free videos at www.KirtanCentral.com/welcome. Enjoy!

Intro to Harmonium video series at Kirtan Central

Friday, November 4, 2011

Virtual Kirtan Choir sings Ma Durga by Krishna Das

Daniel Tucker of Kirtan CentralOver the last three months, videos have been arriving in my email inbox from all over the world - from an ashram in Greece, an ultra-modern apartment in Germany, a family home in Spain - with one thing in common: Everybody is singing Krishna Das' "Ma Durga"!

These kirtan lovers were responding to my call for exactly that - casually filmed videos of them singing along to Krishna Das in their headphones, that I could weave together into one giant "Virtual Kirtan Choir." It humbled me that so many folks were taking time out of their busy lives to sit down in front of their webcam for this. As I pored over the videos, two things became evident: first, these people LOVE this song! Whether's it's love of Krishna Das, love of kirtan, love of Durga, love of singing, love of God... what's obvious is the love, joy, and tenderness captured in each video clip. And second: how deeply we crave to be part of something larger than ourselves! There was so much excitement to be part of the "choir," and I believe that's one of the places kirtan is healing us. It's a chance to gather as a community, and to sing our hearts out together. This is an essential and time-honored part of human life!

While producing the video, I was reminded that it is but a simulation of this essential human tradition of gathering together in song. The video is symbolic, connecting us across the globe by our common love of kirtan music. But the most important form of this connection happens in a live kirtan, with a live circle of friends, as the vibrations of our voices blend to create a Real Kirtan Choir!

So, without further ado, here is the Virtual Kirtan Choir's first video (we'll do another next year :) ~




If you enjoy the video, please share it and spread the love!
Copy this URL: http://youtu.be/JqyKkxds8eU and share it on facebook, or in an email.

Lotsa love,
Daniel