Frequenty Asked Questions
Academy
OM Book
- Can I get a hard copy of the OM Book ?
- Will I have access to all the OM books from my previous courses?
Registration
- How do I pay for courses? Is payment secure?
- Can partial payments be made?
- How would we know if a payment has been made or not?
- What if I want to withdraw from my course? Do you offer refunds?
- Can two or more students use the same account for the class?
- Is it possible for two students to learn in the same place with a single registration?
Missing A Class
- What happens if I miss a class?
- Can the student download the recorded videos of the class?
- Can students hear the teacher and beat (taal) well, and vice versa? How do you ensure no sound quality issues?
- If I miss a class due to technical issues, can I make up the class?
- I missed a few classes and want to re-start my course. What are the payment terms?
Technical Issues:
- I am unable to register online.
- I am unable to log in / I forgot my password.
- How do I test my Webex setup?
- I am having network issues voice and sound clarity or lag issues.
- The video/sound is buffering.
- I can see the video and hear the teacher but cannot be heard.
- Video is blurry or dark.
- Sound is not clear my voice drags and trails, which disturbs the class.
- I am unable to view some pages in the OM book.
Academy
How can I learn music online? Especially Indian Classical Music?
The Academy has done a lot of research and related work to make it easy for students to learn Indian Classical Music Online.
There are pedagogy enhancements and software tools that help the students.
Pedagogy Enhancements
Hindustani and Carnatic Classical Music courses are brought to life through a well-structured curriculum, which is designed to create and keep the interest for students to continue to learn music.
- An Online Music Book (OM Book) is made available for each course. This digitized multimedia book contains the necessary materials in various formats including videos, games and practice recorder to make it a lot easier for students to learn and practice.
- An online Tanpura or Shruti box is provided in the Online Music Book to help students practice.
- Last but not the least, Virtual Online Classes are made available on a weekly basis for students in the Virtual Online Courses and these classes are mad available on request on a per need basis for those who enroll into self-study courses.
Software Tools
- Online Music Book contains a host of software tools including the OM Riyaaz practice recorder, online Tanpura or Shruti box to set a pitch and ability to save practice recordings and ask for teacher's feedback
- All assignments and diagnostic quizzes to help understand the progress of the students are made available online
- A certificate generator generates the student's certificate on successful completion of a course
How does the Academy learning experience compare with traditional learning?
- The convenience of learning from home, including evening and weekend hours
- A structured curriculum developed by highly respected artists and teachers with milestone learning as against traditional learning which is mostly open-ended
- An Online Music Book (OM Book) for learning and practicing concepts anytime during the course
- Well trained teachers to support learning
- Virtual Class recordings and detailed study plan for reviewing prior or missed classes
- Levels, assessments, and certifications to demonstrate mastery
- A consistent, high quality learning experience that's certified by Shankar Mahadevan
What is Shankar Mahadevan's involvement with the Academy? Will I get a chance to meet him?
As a founder of the Academy, Shankar Mahadevan is fully engaged in all key aspects of the Academy including design of curriculum, course content, pedagogy philosophy, culture, teacher quality, and the online experience. While the Academy can't guarantee that students will have an opportunity to talk with Shankar, he visits virtual classes on a periodic basis.
Do I have to start at the Beginner level in a series if I have already studied music?
As noted, in academic policies students interested in joining advanced classes are given the assessment. An Academy teacher will discuss the results with the student to determine the most appropriate placement.
Is it possible for anyone to learn music irrespective of age/voice quality?
The Shankar Mahadevan Academy shares its love for music with people across the globe by making music learning easy and fun. We definitely believe that one can learn music as long as there is a passion for learning, as well as practice on a daily basis.
The Academy conducts virtual classes by using the Online Music (OM) Book, which consists of valuable study materials, instructional videos, music notations, recording tools, and other features which help the students master their vocal skills. Also, weekly classes with the instructor and regular assignments and practice sessions will surely help with learning music.
Should I learn Hindustani or Carnatic?
This is more of a personal choice. Each form of music is different from the other, and one can decide based on what sounds better to them. You take a tour and check the course details.
There are also students in the Academy learning both types of Classical Music at different level.
What is an OM Book, and how does it help me to learn?
The OM Book, or Online Music Book, is a self-paced learning tool. Students learn and practice weekly lesson material before each virtual class by reviewing assigned chapters and pages in the course OM Book. OM Books can include instructional video from renowned artists, music history, notations, quizzes, recorders for practice, and more.
Learning from the OM Book has a number of advantages over pure face-to-face learning:
- It allows students to learn before each virtual class on their own time, at their own pace
- It provides rare access to exceptional quality instruction from renowned artists
- It enables students to go back and practice what they have learned at any time
- It provides tools such as recorders that aren't available in traditional class settings
- It encourages and guides regular practice, which is the key to successful learning.
How do I view a sample OM Book?
Go to the www.shankarmahadevanacademy.com home page
- Towards the left side on the Home Page, click on "View an Online Music book".
- A video demonstration of the OM Book will play.
How do you ensure high quality teaching?
Academy teachers are chosen by a team of experienced music professionals and are screened using a rigorous interviewing process. All teachers are trained and certified in the Academy's pedagogical philosophy and processes, which are endorsed by Shankar Mahadevan, ensuring consistent high quality in all courses.
Can a student enroll in advanced courses?
Pre-requisites are needed to join any level other than 101. You can find the pre-requisite criteria in our web site. For new students wanting to join advanced courses an assessment will be done, by the Academy to see if there are ready for the course.
Can a student enroll in multiple courses?
The Academy allows its students to enroll in multiple courses. Note that classes are subject to the availability of time slots and teachers.
How does your online experience compare with in-person learning? Or with Skype?
Learning online with the Academy has a number of distinct benefits:
- The convenience of learning from home, including evening and weekend hours
- A structured curriculum developed by highly respected artists and teachers
- An Online Music Book (OM Book) for learning and practice anytime during the course
- Virtual Class recordings for reviewing prior or missed classes
- Levels, assessments, and certifications to demonstrate mastery
- A consistent, high quality learning experience that's certified by Shankar Mahadevan.
Do you offer private lessons?
Currently the Academy only offers online enrollment for group sessions. Please contact us if you are interested in private lessons.
Will you be offering other types of courses in the future? Do you offer instrumental courses?
We will continue to expand our course offerings based on demand, so if you don't see the course you are interested in listed on our website, please contact us. New courses may include other styles of vocal music, specific songs such as hindi movie songs or folk songs, or instrumental music such as the tabla or violin.
What is duration of a Virtual Class and what should I expect in the class?
The class duration is 45 minutes. This time makes it optimal to learn because
- By the time students attend the virtual class, they have already reviewed and practiced the lesson material
- The class sessions are well defined, to cover a concept under the specific course. Listening to the teacher and understanding the concept best utilize the class time
- Learning is also achieved through review and practice with the OM Book, which allows students to learn at their own time, and at their own pace
Student participation in leading a quality class
- Since it is a group class it brings in the advantage of group learning but also makes everyone in the class responsible in helping the teacher conduct the class with the least number of distractions.
- We understand that a lot of young children are a part of our academy and kids do get distracted, the teachers will be trained to handle pleasantly any such situations, but we would like parents to work with us in helping the teachers conduct the class smoothly.
- Also we know that a lot of students will be having questions which might take the class time, we would appreciate it if all such questions are sent as an email to the teachers, so the time of everyone in the class is not taken away by answering questions of one individual.
The Academy asks each and every student to co-operate in helping the teacher conduct the class in a way that is beneficial to themselves and the rest of the students too.
Does one 45-minute class in a group setting provide enough time to learn?
Absolutely. This is because most learning is achieved through review and practice with the OM Book, which allows students to learn at their own time, and at their own pace.
By the time students attend the virtual class, they have already reviewed and practiced the lesson material. The class provides students an opportunity to refine these skills with a teacher and a small group of students. Group settings are essential to learning music, as they allow students to learn from one another.
What is the importance of Riyaaz?
Music is learnt through a lot of Riyaaz or practice. It is like practicing for a marathon, anyone participating in a marathon, sets aside some time every day to condition them towards the marathon. In the same way music students need to plan their daily schedule to set aside 15 minutes aside to practice from the OM book.
Is it mandatory to have an electronic Shruti box?
Having a Shruti box is mandatory for all students enrolled into a vocal class, because it is important to practice at one.s own pitch every time.
You can either buy a Shruthi box (or) download it online.
We recommend the following electronic tampura to buy online:
1. Ragini - available on www.haribhauvishwanath.com
2. Magic Plus - from Radel available on www.radelindia.com
OM book also provides you with a tanpura that can be used while practicing
Is it mandatory to attend the orientation class?
Though not mandatory, the orientation is an extremely important part of the course. It covers all of the important aspects of the Academy and the course that follows. The teachers will not cover orientation material in the classes that follow.
Before attending the orientation, please review the technical requirements and use "Test your system". to make sure everything is working properly. We recommend that students test their systems at least 15 minutes prior to each class.
Is it mandatory to have a Taal Mala?
Yes, a Taal Mala is mandatory for all students enrolled in Hindustani classical courses above 102. You can either buy a Taal Mala (or) download it online. We recommend the following Taal Mala to buy online:
1.Radel Digi-100
2.iTabla for iPhone/iPod/iPad
When will I be graded?
Grading is based on the following parameters:
- Milestone Assignments(3) - 45%
- Build-up Assignment(1) - 10%
- Performance(1) - 20%
- Teacher's Score - 25%
Can students hear the teacher and beat (taal) well, and vice versa? How do you ensure no sound quality issues?
Shankar Mahadevan Academy has invested in state-of-the-art recording studios, technology infrastructure, and software to provide the best possible online experience. Students are also provided a link to test their setup at home before starting a course, so they can ensure they meet the minimum technical requirements. Technical Orientation material are provided by the academy to the students to understand and use the system before the start of a course. Students are required to have a Shruti box at home, so teachers can hear both the voice and beat count simultaneously. Since all learning takes place online, appropriate technology at both the student.s and teacher.s end ensures that teaching takes place without any interruptions. Quality support by the academy helps in troubleshooting at both ends as and when needed.
Please follow below link to .Test your System. for Technical requirements:
http://www.shankarmahadevanacademy.com/technical-requirements/
How will the student know how far has he/she reached? What is wrong where? Where to improve and how one should go about it?
The academy has a structured curriculum and periodical assessments to recognize and coach the students on their areas of opportunity. The feedback from the teachers will be very structured and detailed which will help the students to work on their weakness.
What are practice recordings and assignments?
As music is perfected through practice, the Academy encourages students to spend some time every day practicing through the OM book.
The OM book has practice sections, which include the concept video and notations along with a recorder in the same page making it convenient for a student to listen practice and record their singing till they get it right.
Assignments
The Academy has two kinds of assignments, one to assist learning and one to evaluate learning. The Build-up Assignments assist learning and Milestone assignments evaluate learning.
Most of the time, build up assignments will be practice of concept learnt along with concept related quiz and other formats of theory.
Milestone Assignment will be more thought provoking and will need very good understanding and learning of the concept before attempting it.
Use of Materials and Practice help in doing the Build-up Assignments and Build up assignment help in doing the Milestone assignment.
Note:
Assignments and Assessments are created to help in gauging the level of learning by each individual, so it is very beneficial for every student to work on them to understand what they have understood and what they need to work on. The Academy requests every student to make an effort in taking these assignments and assessments and help him or herself learn better.
Are all practice recordings graded??
Practice sections are provided for the student to practice and master the concept and are not graded. Teacher provides feedback on the strengths and areas of improvement for 5 practice submissions.
However, Grading is done based on the following parameters:
- Milestone Assignments(3) - 45%
- Build-up Assignment(1) - 10%
- Performance(1) - 20%
- Teacher's Score - 25%
What are the requirements for receiving a certificate in classical music courses?
Each of our courses consists of 12 classes at a frequency of 1 class per week for half an hour each. Students in certificate programs will be graded based on the criteria outlined in our academic policies.
Since this is about learning music and enjoy your learning experience, students who do not get a grade of A or B will be given an opportunity to attend a Learning Lab (at an additional cost) of the same course for 6 weeks. The Learning Lab will help students who need a bit more time to learn.
What is learning lab and how does it benefit students?
The Academy is based on milestone learning in each course. The course duration is 12 weeks. Through the 12 weeks, the teacher evaluates student's learning. Music is an art where every individual has their own pace of learning. Students who have achieved the objective of a course well, are given A or B grade and are allowed to progress to the next level.
Students who are still not ready to move to the next level are offered learning lab courses, which will be for a shorter duration of 6 weeks for 50% of the course price. This course will focus on working in the areas in which they need help thereby allowing the student to learn at his own pace. This also ensures, that everyone learns right and is ready for the next level, and nobody is pushed to the next level unless he/she are ready for it.
Can I change my class, teacher, or class time while I am in a course?
Please note that change in classes is subject to availability of time slots, teachers etc. However, we do not encourage changes to be made to the class schedule in between the program. Having the same teacher and peers within the classroom enhances the learning experience, as different teachers have different methods of teaching. Please be assured that we will look into your request, and in case of genuine need for the change in schedule, we will do our best to assist you.
Can I re-take my final assessment?
Retesting will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and a re-test fee will be applicable.
OM Book
Can I get a hard copy of OM Book?
OM books are only available to enrolled students online. However, the same cannot be downloaded or printed.
Will I have access to all the OM books from my previous courses?
You will have access to all the OM books from your previous courses as long as you are a student of the academy.
Registration
How do I pay for courses? Is payment secure?
You can enroll and pay for courses online. We use Paypal(USD) and EBS(INR) for secure processing of payments, and accept most major credit cards.
Can partial payments be made?
We currently do not have any option for partial payments. We kindly request you to make the full payment at the time of enrollment.
How would we know if a payment has been made or not? ?
When you pay online, you will receive an automated email message acknowledging your payment details. However, feel free to contact us if you don.t receive the email after making the payment. We will be happy to help you with that.
What if I want to withdraw from my course? Do you offer refunds?
Our refund policy can be found in our academic policies. Students receive a full refund one week prior to the start of the course, and a partial refund after the first week of the course. Before processing withdrawals, we would appreciate any feedback regarding the Academy. This can be emailed to feedback@shankarmahadevanacademy.com.
Can two or more students use the same account for the class?
As per our academic policies, an enrollment is only applicable to a single student. Each additional student needs to have a separate enrollment.
Is it possible for two students to learn in the same place with a single registration?
As per our academic policies, we would like to inform you that an enrolment is only applicable to a single student. We kindly request both the students to have two different registrations. You will be thrilled to have your peer within the same classroom & it enhances the learning experience
Missing A Class
What happens if I miss a class?
The Academy, as a policy will not give make-up class if a student misses a class, barring very strong exceptional cases. To catch up on the lost class they can review the study plan along with the OM book and class recordings. The class recordings will be available only if there is more than 1 student in the batch. The student can also send practice recordings for feedback to the teacher, which will enable the student to catch-up on the material before the next class. Apart from this, the student has an option to buy a 1-1 Add-on class during the week, which will be scheduled based on the teacher.s availability.
Can the student download the recorded videos of the class?
Class Recordings are available in the student account, and are not downloadable. We recommend the students to login to the website & view the recorded classes online.
If I miss a class due to technical issues, can I make up the class?
Before starting with any course, please go through the technical requirements for the course. Once you have ensured that you have all the necessary equipment for the course, you can test your system by clicking on the "Test Your System". tab in the right side of your welcome page. We recommend that you log on at least 15 minutes prior to class in order to avoid any such issues in the future. It might not be possible for us to schedule a make up class, however, you can view the recorded class, and email the teacher with any questions you might have.Due to unavoidable circumstances beyond the control of the Academy, like technical issue/teacher not available, the class will be rescheduled. An extra class will be added to make up for the same, within the period of the course.
I missed a few classes and want to re-start my course. What are the payment terms?
Based on the academy policies, fee refunds can be made only if withdrawal date is one week prior to the joining date. Our refund policies are outlined in academic policies.
In order to retake the course, the entire course fee needs to be paid again, unless there is a genuine reason for absense, such as medical conditions. Requests for a leave of absence due to medical reasons must include a written note signed by a doctor verifying that the student cannot complete the course for medical reasons.
Based on the academy policies, fee refunds can be made only if withdrawal date is one week prior to the course start date. A student is eligible for 50% refund one week into the course for Certificate Courses, and 25% refund one week into the course for Individual Courses (Classical Self-study, HMS and Devotional). Our refund policies are outlined in .In order to retake the course, the entire course fee needs to be paid again, unless there is a genuine reason for absence, such as medical. Requests for a leave of absence due to medical reasons must include a written note signed by a doctor verifying that the student cannot complete the course for medical reasons. Apart from this, the student has an option to buy a 1-1 Add-on class during the week, which will be scheduled based on the teacher's availability
Technical Issues
I am unable to register online.
Please ensure that you have gone through the steps to register for the classes as follows:
- In the courses section of the website, select the genre of music you are interested in (Hindustani, Carnatic, Hindi Movie Songs, Devotional songs)
- Among the selected genre, please select the course that you would like to register for.After registration, depending on the course you have chosen, the prerequisite assignment will be provided in your account, which needs to be submitted for assessment. Based on the assessment, the Academy will contact you regarding the level for which you qualify
- Once you have selected the course, you may now choose the time slots that are currently open for the course.
- If you still have trouble with the registration, email us at admissions@shankarmahadevanacademy.com, with which specific course you are interested in enrolling for, and we will get back to you with availability.
I am unable to log in/I forgot my password.
If you have forgotten your password or your password is not working, click on "forgot password". next to login in the upper right corner of the website. A link to reset your password will be sent to your registered email ID. If you do not receive the email, check your spamjunk mail folder.
How do I test my Webex setup?
From your home page, click on the red button on the upper right side of the page, which says .Test Your System.. Go through all the steps in the system to ensure that your computer has all the necessary requirements for Webex:
- Ensure through your internet service provider that you have the necessary bandwidth (minimum 1 Mbps)
- Ensure Flash and Java are enabled on your system
- Switch on your webcam, and ensure you can see yourself clearly
- Switch on your microphone, and ensure the volume is not muted, and that you can hear yourself
- Check if the volume on your headphones is not muted, and is clear
- Click to launch a test class.
We recommend that all students test their setup at least 15 minutes prior to each class.
In case you are still unable to test Webex, please contact support at support@shankarmahadevanacademy.com.
I am having network issues/voice and sound clarity or lag issues.
Please check with your network provider in case of network issues. Voice and sound lags could also be due to your network connection andor problems with your headset.
In order to avoid this , we recommend that you check your system at least 15 minutes prior to each class. In case of any other questions, contact us at support@shankarmahadevanacademy.com.
Video/Sound is buffering
Video and sound buffering normally happens when the Internet connection is relatively slow.
- Please check with your network provider on your Internet bandwidth.
- Please also ensure your headset and webcam are connected properly along with all necessary drivers installed.
- Try using a different system, or different equipment to eliminate system and equipment issues.
I can see the video and hear the teacher but cannot be heard
Please check the following:
- Please check that your laptopdesktop volume is not muted
- Please check your headset volume
- Check if headphone mic is plugged in properly
- Check on different headsetlaptop to eliminate equipment issue.
Video is blurry or dark
Please check the following :
Sound is not clear/my voice drags & trails which disturbs the class
Video and sound lags normally happen when the Internet connection is relatively slow. Please check with your network provider on your Internet bandwidth. The minimum requirement for the Webex session is 1 Mbps.
I am unable to view some pages in the OM book
Please check the following:
- Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF plug in)
- If you are using a Mac book, try using a different browser in the sequence - Internet Explorer, Firefox with plug in, Google Chrome, Safari
- Log off and log back in. This often helps if the line is unclear .
