UPMSP Intermediate Instrumental Music study plan

Define the ten lakshanas of a raga (graha, amsa, nyasa, apanyasa, alpatva, bahutva, avaroha, avarohana, vadi, samvadi) and write each in one sentence of your own words

Map each prescribed raga's aroha and avaroha swara by swara, marking komal/tivra and varjit swaras, in a table you build yourself

Explain the difference between vadi, samvadi, anuvadi, and vivadi using two prescribed ragas as examples

Practice singing and identifying the pakad of each prescribed raga aloud for ten minutes daily

List the technical terms from Domain 1 (sruti, swara, saptak, moorchhana, vakra, varjya) with a one-line definition each

Play or sing the aroha-avaroha and pakad of each prescribed raga correctly at a steady tempo

Identify the distinguishing phrases that separate ragas sharing similar scales and note them in writing

Analyse how time of day (samay) is assigned to each prescribed raga and group them by prahar

Record yourself performing two prescribed ragas and mark every wrong swara or unclear phrase

Explain the concept of raga-rasa and justify the mood you associate with three prescribed ragas

Write the theka of each prescribed tala in notation, matra by matra, with tali, khali, and sam marked

Recite each prescribed tala's bols in vilambit and drut laya while keeping tali with your hand

Explain the terms matra, vibhag, tali, khali, sam, avartan, laya, and layakari with one example each

Compute the number of matras in a given avartan and identify sam after a stated number of cycles

Practise one prescribed tala in at least two layakari ratios (barabar, dugun, chaugun)

Perform a structured alap in one prescribed raga on your chosen instrument, moving from vilambit to madhya laya

Compose and play a gat or bandish-style composition in each prescribed raga with correct sam placement

Integrate at least two tala cycles of layakari into one raga performance without losing sam

Diagnose and correct intonation and stroke or fingering faults identified in your recordings

Perform one full prescribed raga end to end within a fixed time limit without stopping

Build a timeline linking major periods of Indian music history to the instruments that emerged or dominated in each

Describe the contributions of at least six instrumentalists or musicologists to instrumental music, each in three to four sentences of your own

Explain the shift from temple and court patronage to public concert culture and its effect on instruments

Compare the roles of the veena, sitar, sarod, and sarangi traditions across historical periods

Write short life sketches of prescribed musicians with dates, gharana or tradition, and one signature contribution each

Classify instruments under the four-fold system (tat, sushir, avanaddha, ghan) and place each prescribed instrument correctly

Describe the construction of your chosen instrument part by part, naming each component and its function

Compare the construction of two instruments from the same class and explain how structure shapes tone

Trace how instrument design changed over time and state one consequence of each change

Explain the tuning system of your instrument and demonstrate tuning it correctly

Write notation for a prescribed raga composition using a consistent swara and tala notation system, including bar lines and sam markers

Read an unseen notated passage aloud or on your instrument without prior rehearsal

Convert a written composition between two notation conventions and explain the differences

Notate a tala cycle with layakari variations and verify the matra count

Correct errors deliberately planted in your own earlier notation sheets

Revise every prescribed raga and tala using spaced self-testing rather than re-reading notes

Perform two prescribed ragas back to back under exam-like conditions with a timer

Answer rapid-fire definition and identification questions across all eight domains

Review weak areas flagged in earlier self-assessments and close each gap

Simulate a full practical and theory session and score yourself against a checklist