Hindustani Music — Textbook & Study Material

Download the official textbook for Hindustani Music and see the full chapter list so you know exactly what to cover.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Vocal Music Theory Terms and Detailed Topics
Chapter 2: Class IX and X Ragas: Description and Identification
Chapter 3: Class IX and X Taals: Notation and Layakari
Chapter 4: Bhatkhande Notation and Vocal Compositions
Chapter 5: Vocal Music Personalities and Tanpura
Chapter 6: Vocal Music Practical Performance
Chapter 7: Instrumental Music Theory Terms and Detailed Topics
Chapter 8: Instrument Origin, Handling, Tuning and Diagram
Chapter 9: Class IX and X Ragas for Instrumental Music
Chapter 10: Class IX and X Taals for Instrumental Music
Chapter 11: Instrumental Notation, Gats and Raga Identification
Chapter 12: Instrumental Music Personalities and Practical Performance
Chapter 13: Tabla Theory Terms and Detailed Topics
Chapter 14: Tabla Varnas, Taal Jaati System, Solo and Sangat
Chapter 15: Tabla Taals: Notation, Layakari and Identification
Chapter 16: Tabla Parts, Tuning and Eminent Percussionists
Chapter 17: Tabla Practical Technique and Taal Development
Chapter 18: Tabla Padhant and Accompaniment
Chapter 19: Practical Work in Music
Chapter 20: Performance Assessment and Viva Preparation

Frequently asked questions

Is the Hindustani Music textbook enough to score well, or do I need extra notes?

The official textbook is the core — most exam questions are set directly from it, so read it thoroughly first. Add concise notes and solved past papers for revision and exam practice rather than switching to unofficial books.

How should I study the Hindustani Music textbook chapter by chapter?

Cover the high-weightage chapters first (use the exam pattern as a guide), make a one-page summary per chapter, and immediately solve a few past-paper questions on it. Active recall beats passive re-reading.

How can I prepare for Hindustani Music faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for Hindustani Music — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused Hindustani Music study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.