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The Definitive Guide To Bhoopali

Namaste! I am Bansuri Bliss Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger and I’m very excited to teach you all about Bhoopali, the first raga that I ever studied and the first raga that I teach to most of my bansuri students.

Bhoopali is ancient raga from northern India: possibly 4,000 years old. It is one of the five oldest known melodies. It has survived so long for a reason: people like it. I’m sure you will like it to!

Bhoopali is an evening raga (most ragas have a specific time of day or year when they are intended to be played and possibly sound best).

Bhoopali is very common: anyone interested in north Indian classical music likely knows and recognizes it. The scale of Bhoopali is also very common scale in western music (where it is sometimes referred to, somewhat ambiguously, as “the major pentatonic scale”).

Bhoopali’s rasa (feeling) is that of Bhakti (Devotion) and Shanti (Peace). Bhoopali relaxes and re-settles you; if you are feeling anxious or uptight, Bhoopali is a great raga to bring you back to a calm state.

If you enjoy the free resources on this page, then we encourage you to become a Bansuri Bliss Member and gain access to an array of benefits that will result in you playing Bhoopali with more freedom and beauty than you ever imagined possible.

Your instructor and the author of this webpage: Bansuri Bliss Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger, playing in the Mission District, San Francisco, CA.

This page has a LOT of materials to get you going with Bhoopali. The Bansuri Bliss Academy Bhoopali course has even more…it is likely the most thorough course on any raga ever created.

Just Starting Out?

Bhoopali is perfect for beginner bansuri players

(1) There are only five notes;

(2) It has few rules;

(3) The notes are easy to play on a bansuri because they are all fully-closed; and

(4) It’s easy to find recordings of masters performing Bhoopali.

And Perfect For Advanced Musicians Too:

Bhoopali is also perfect for advanced bansuri players because:

(1) It is an enjoyable raga to play and it’s a beautiful, relaxing piece of music that everyone enjoys!

(2) In its simplicity, one can focus on the more complex musical possibilities.

Summary: Bhoopali a great raga to learn first and you will likely enjoy playing it for the rest of your life!

It All Starts With...

Bhoopali Scale

Arohi (ascending scale): SRGPDS

Avarohi (descending scale): SDPGRS

Time = Evening

Vadi = Ga

Samvadi = Pa

Vivadi = Dha

Rasa = Bhakti, Shanti

Bhoopali has a natural 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th; it omits the 4th and 7th.

Bhoopali has no komal (flat) or teevra (sharp) notes.

The most important note in Bhoopali is the Shuddh Ga, which is vadi (the emperor note). Play a lot of Ga if you want to sound like Bhoopali.

The second most important note (samvadi) is Pa. As with most ragas, Sa is important as well.

Dha is vivadi (“the enemy note”), so only use it sparingly. Don’t hover on it too long, lest it sound like you are playing raag Deshkar, which uses the same scale, but emphasizes the Dha. When you play Dha in Bhoopali, either descend to Pa or ascend to Sa afterwards (as opposed to playing a long Dha and ending the phrase on Dha).

[pdf-embedder url="https://billing.bansuribliss.com/wp-content/uploads/Bhoopali-Bansuri-Fingering-Chart.pdf"]

Download this bansuri fingering chart, which helps you understand:
(1) How to play the notes of Bhoopali;
(2) The distances between the notes in the scale; and
(3) what notes are omitted

Learn The Bhoopali Scale

This was the first video I ever added to the Bansuri Bliss YouTube Channel (which you should definitely subscribe to right now if you have not yet done so!). In the video, I explain the Bhoopali scale including how to get the notes on the bansuri. I’d like to think my videos have improved since this one, but it is still a perfect introduction to Bhoopali!

For all the videos on this page, watch the video then play what I teach on your flute regardless of what size or pitch flute you have. Just tune your tanpura to three holes closed on your flute and use the same fingering as shown in the video.

“Sir, your Bhoopali tutorial is the best of the best..Almost everyday I watch it.” — Punyam Borah, India

Recorded in Santa Cruz, CA, March 3rd, 2013 on my E flute (Sa = three holes closed = E).

The Fastest Way To Learn Bhoopali

In this video, I bring you to a reasonable level of musical literacy and understanding of Bhoopali in some of the best 70 minutes you will ever invest in your musical education. I teach Bhoopali from scratch, on the assumption you know nothing about bansuri, Bhoopali or Indian classical music. You will learn:

The Bhoopali scale
How to play the Bhoopali scale on bansuri
The range of notes from Low Pa up to High Ga
How to read Indian classical music
The most common rhythm on the planet and how it works in Indian classical music
A simple scale exercise
A rhythmic exercise to facilitate your switching between single and double speeds
An introduction to gamak, which Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia calls “the most important sound in Indian classical music”.
The most important note (vadi) of Bhoopali
The most important line of a fast speed (drut) Bhoopali composition
How Bhoopali sounds when you put all this together into actual practice
Where to continue your Bhoopali learning so that you know it in depth (hint: Bansuri Bliss Academy is where you will find an incredible archive of Bhoopali and bansuri knowledge).

Video recorded by Dr. Kerry Kriger live from Hyderabad, India on December 27th, 2018. Bansuri is tuned to F (+8 cents). Enjoy!

Simple Scale Exercise

In this video, Dr. Kerry Kriger teaches the melody Bhoopali on bamboo flute. You will learn a simple scale exercise that will get your fingers and your mind used to playing the Bhoopali scale and assist your raga playing. The exercise could also be used as a taan during an actual performance of Bhoopali in teental.

This video is part of the thorough Bhoopali course that Dr. Kriger has created, accessible when you become a member of Bansuri Bliss. As a member, you can access all the Bansuri Bliss Academy video and audio tutorials, as well as downloadable PDF’s of Bhoopali compositions and written notations.

Video recorded April 2018 in Aptos, California. Tuning is Sa = 3 holes closed = G.

Scale Exercise in Bhoopali

SRG RGP GPD PDS

In this video, Bansuri Bliss Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger teaches an excellent scale exercise for beginners. Watch this tutorial and practice the exercise: it will help you improve your rhythm, including doubling and halving your speed, and of course prepare you to achieve Bhoopali Bliss!

The video was recorded September 3rd, 2019 in Bullhead City, Arizona, on a D flute (Sa = D + 30cents). Enjoy!

Let's Talk About Gamak

Gamak is an incredibly important type of ornament that is extremely common in Indian classical music. In these videos, Dr. Kriger explains gamak and its applicability to Raag Bhopali.

The Original Bhoopali Gamaks Video

This lesson was recorded for your enjoyment and musical enlightenment in Santa Cruz, CA on March 11th, 2013 using a G-flute (Sa=Three Holes Closed=G). This was Dr. Kriger’s 2nd ever YouTube video!

The video was recorded September 3rd, 2019 in Bullhead City, Arizona, on a D flute (Sa = D + 30cents). Enjoy!

Unlock The Mysteries Of Bamboo Flute

Dr. Kerry Kriger unlocks the mysteries of bamboo flute in this video tutorial. You will learn:

the raga Bhoopali
gamaks and ornaments
how to make your flute sound Indian
the importance of Sa
Kerry’s first rule of ornaments
How to improve the tone of your Pa
The Ga-Pa Bridge and how to cross it smoothly
4’s…and a whole lot more

“Amazing work done by Dr Kerry Kriger on Gamaks. It is informative and interesting for students who are keen to learn bamboo flute. This is a great method and absolutely fantastic tutorial.”
— Maitreyee Sarcar

Recorded under Volcan Pichincha, above the Teleferico (Quito, Ecuador) on November 3rd, 2015, with an iPhone 5 and UrbanEars mic. Flute pitch is F (+8 cents). Sa = F = three holes closed.

Bhoopali Gamaks in the Ascending Scale

In the next video, Dr. Kerry Kriger teaches Bhoopali on bamboo flute (bansuri). You will learn how to play gamaks, one of the most fundamental aspects of Indian classical music. This is pure classical music of northern India. This lesson focuses on gamaks in ascent. Gamaks in descent are a bit more complex, and are taught in detail in the Bansuri Bliss Academy.

Video recorded May 6th, 2018 in New York City. Pitch: Kerry’s flute is Sa (three holes closed) = G

Bansuri Q & A Episode 26: How To Play Two Notes In A Row On Bansuri

This video based in Bhoopali comes from Dr. Kriger’s Bansuri Q & A series. The video was recorded August 19th, 2019 in Manassas, Virginia. Dr. Kriger’s flute is Sa (three holes closed) = F (+8 cents).

QUESTION:

How do you play two notes in a row? Do you have to tongue them? In your taan exercises, when you show two adjacent notes tied together, is your intention that we tongue them together? Example: when playing any of GGRS RRSD SSDP DDPG PPGR GGRS RRSD SSDP

(Question from Rik Svien, Bansuri Bliss Member, Minnesota)

ANSWER:

(1) Gamak if playing slow

(2) Break with the note below if playing fast

(3) Tongue if you are playing jhala or specifically want a staccato feel

By now you should have a decent grasp of gamaks, at least in Bhoopali! For other ragas, the concept remains the same, you just need to use the notes of that raga as the ornamental notes.

Bhoopali Tutorial: Teental Two Octaves Exercise

In this video, Dr. Kerry Kriger teaches an important exercise in the raga Bhoopali. The exercise is set to teental, a 16-beat rhythm, and covers two octaves, from low Pa to high Pa.

Recorded April 20th, 2019 in Manassas, Virginia. Dr. Kriger’s flute is Sa (three holes closed) = F (+8 cents).

This video above a small part of the Bhoopali course available inside the Bansuri Bliss Academy, accessible to all Bansuri Bliss Members. As a member, you can download the full page PDF of all the written music from this video tutorial.

Bansuri Bliss Membership gets you not just the Bhoopali course, but an array of courses in other ragas, complete with audio, video and downloadable PDF compositions. The compositions are written in clear, precise notation of a higher quality than any you will find elsewhere online (as virtually all compositions online are written in degraded notation that was altered in order to be typed, losing much of the nuance of truly correct Indian musical notation). Dr. Kriger’s musical notation maintains the traditional style to the finest detail, and is visually easy on the eyes, facilitating a successful practice session.

Bansuri Bliss Membership also gets you direct access to Dr. Kriger through a free introductory private lesson upon signing up, and two online group lessons every month (group size is small enough that you can always ask your questions and get replies).

Membership is only a fraction of the cost of a traditional music college or having to travel to a teacher to take private lessons. And what you will get is far beyond anything else available anywhere online. So if you want to deepen your Bhoopali, bansuri and Indian classical music knowledge, become a Bansuri Bliss member today!

Real Bansuri Lesson With Dr. Kerry Kriger

In an effort to spread the Bansuri Bliss and the lndian classical music knowledge far and wide, Dr. Kerry Kriger gave this free online bansuri lesson on July 14th, 2019. If you seek bansuri knowledge and inspiration, this class is for you!

During the lesson, Dr. Kriger discusses:

Bhoopali Alap: 00:45
The Guru-Shishya Parampara: 4:34
Vadi, Samvadi and Vivadi: 6:46
Playing In Tune & Improving One’s Sense Of Pitch: 14:40
Practice Philosophy: 21:22
Tuning (Cents): 25:42
Practicing With Tabla: 26:55
Bhoopali Simple Scale Exercise: 31:00
Reading Indian Classical Music: 35:08
Natural Musical Abilities: 37:26
Riyaz: 40:20
How To Hold A Bamboo Flute: 44:57
How To Play The High Notes: 46:30
Gamak: 48:34
Bansuri Bliss Memberships: 55:31
Bhoopali Teental: 60:56

The lesson was recorded live in Bogota, Colombia on July 14th, 2019. Dr. Kriger’s flute is Sa (three holes closed) = F (+8 cents).

How To Play Bhoopali In Rupak Taal

In this video, Dr. Kerry Kriger teaches the raga Bhoopali in a 7-beat rhythm (Rupak taal). You will learn a composition in Rupak and many ways to improvise in the classical style of northern Indian music.

You should not try to learn rupak if you do not yet have a decent grasp of teental. So make sure you have your teental under control first!

Video recorded January 14, 2019 in Hyderabad, Telangana, India as part of a Bansuri Bliss Members Lesson.

How To Play Bansuri With A Tabla Player

I recorded this lesson in the middle of a practice session with Saawan Kakkeri. The mics were connected and the recording equipment ready, so we hit record and made this lesson with no preconceived plan of what it would be, other than guidance on how to play bansuri with a real tabla player (versus a tabla machine). We enjoyed it and hope you will too!

Dr. Kriger is playing raag Bhoopali. Recorded in Hyderabad, Telangana, India on January 4th, 2019.

Bansuri Bliss Approved...

Bhoopali Recordings

Hariprasad Chaurasia & Anindo Chatterjee

This is a fabulous studio recording that I listened to at the conclusion of my first ever bansuri lesson!

Some live recordings from the archives…

Ustad Bismillah Khan

A classic recording of Bismillah Khan playing Bhoopali. This composition comes to my head a lot. From Khali it is:
GPGR | SDSR | G-R- | G-SR

Dr. Kerry Kriger

Dr. Kerry Kriger performs raag Bhoopali on bansuri, with Saawan Kakkeri on tabla. Recorded live at the Park Hyderabad on 2017-12-22

Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao Teaches Bhoopali To Dr. Kerry Kriger in September 2007. Includes madhyalaya rupak (middle speed composition in 7 beats) and drut teental (fast composition in 16 beats).

Dr. Kerry Kriger on bansuri (bamboo flute) and Chris Berry on electric guitar. Our first ever flute and guitar jam. Recorded at The Cave in Felton, May 22nd, 2011

Want Even More In-Depth Bhoopali Knowledge?

This webpage has a lot of Bhoopali knowledge but still only scratches the surface.

As mentioned above, the Bansuri Bliss Academy contains an extremely thorough Bhoopali course that includes lessons on alap, jhala, compositions for teental, rupak and other taals and much more.

Of course, nothing can ever replace the value of one on one time with a qualified teacher. Indian classical music has been passed down through the guru-shishya parampara (teacher-student tradition) for thousands of years. YouTube videos are great for getting information to you, but only a real teacher can give you the feedback you need to ensure you are actually playing correctly. And it is assured that without a guru, you are NOT playing Indian classical music correctly. None of your favorite Indian classical musicians learned exclusively through YouTube. ALL of your favorite Indian classical musicians had gurus who gave them in-depth personal training.

Fortunately, Bansuri Bliss Members gain access to multiple live lessons via Zoom each week. Join and you will be able to ask questions and get thorough replies, and you will be able to play and get real, personalized feedback specific to your playing.

For private lessons with Dr. Kerry Kriger, please visit the Private Lessons page. Note that private lessons are only offered to Bansuri Bliss Members. This is because if you are serious enough about bansuri to seek private lessons, you should be a member, since membership provides enormous bansuri privileges for a minimal investment into your musical future.

Bansuri Bliss Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger plays a melody on Mt. Gower, overlooking Mt. Lidgbird, Lord Howe Island, Australia, January 28th, 2007.

Note that Bhoopali is known by various names, including: Bhopali, Bhupali, Bhoop, and Raag Bhup.

What People Are Saying

“Namaste, Kerry. How are you doing? I’m writing to say that I’m so glad that I’ve found you and your course. I started studying music when I was 12 years old. I’ve recorded many albums and produced many artists.

Since I’ve discovered Indian Classical Music around 25 years ago, I could not have imagined that someday I would have a chance to understand this music and to do it. And you’re leading me on this path. So, you’re my guru. Thank you so much.

I’ve been studying carefully each and every one of your Bhoopali lessons. I’m considering the bansuri practice as spiritual practice. This means a training of humility and perseverance.”

— Bruno Souza, Bansuri Bliss Member, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Dr. Kerry Kriger plays a tune at Santuario do Caraca, Minas Gerais, Brazil. April 4th, 2017

We Hope You Enjoyed Learning Bhoopali!

We have never found anything that approaches what is on this web page. Have you? If you ever find more thorough Bhoopali lessons online, regardless of if they are for bansuri, sitar, sarod, santoor, shehnai, vocals or any other instrument, definitely let us know!

If you liked these Bhoopali tutorials, please be sure to follow @bansuribliss on your favorite social media channel, and share the page with your musician friends. Thank you!

Click the image above to see the lessons included in the official Bansuri Bliss Course, available to all Bansuri Bliss Members.

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