Behind the Scenes: My Veena Rehearsals and Sound Checks
The real magic doesn't start on stage—it happens during the intense sessions where the music takes shape. From intimate practice rooms to the hum of a sound check, here is a look at what goes into every performance.
At a sound check, getting the levels just right for the evening's concert. This is a crucial step to ensure the audience has the best listening experience.
At a sound check, getting the levels just right for the evening's concert. This is a crucial step to ensure the audience has the best listening experience.
Getting set for our concert at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall. The stage is ready, and we are doing our final checks before the show begins.
Rehearsal session for my Europe concert tour. This is where we plan the music, practice our parts, and build the chemistry needed for a great performance.
A candid shot from the rehearsal of 'Meera Tarangini'. These sessions are intense but also filled with laughter and creativity as we bring a new musical production to life.
A candid shot from the rehearsal of 'Meera Tarangini'. These sessions are intense but also filled with laughter and creativity as we bring a new musical production to life.
About The Making of Music: Rehearsals & Sound Checks
Before the audience walks in, there is always a crucial 60 minutes dedicated to sound balancing. Whether I am tuning my Tarangini Veena for a solo recital or aligning a 50-member ensemble for a project like 'Meera Tarangini', getting those frequency levels right with my percussionists is what makes the actual concert flow perfectly!!!!!!
Rehearsals are where the real work happens. It is not just about playing notes, it is about building chemistry with my co-artists—whether that is a seasoned mridangam player or a guest flautist for a jugalbandi. For projects like the 50-member ensemble for the Tarangini Arts Foundation golden jubilee, the planning involves layering complex rhythmic patterns and ensuring every artist feels the pulse of the composition. I enjoy the chaotic, creative energy of these sessions so much!!!!!!!
When I tour in Europe or across India, the rehearsal space often becomes a living room, a temple, or a green room. It is essential to get these technical setups right, especially when using specific contact microphones for the Tarangini Veena. This preparation ensures that whether I am performing in a grand auditorium or a cozy cultural space, the music resonates exactly as it should. If you are planning a concert or a musical event, knowing the care that goes into the backend—from sound checks to instrument care—should give you a sense of the precision I bring to every stage I step onto.
Suma Sudhindra
I am Suma, and for me, the veena is more than an instrument—it is a conversation. Whether I am preparing for a solo recital or directing a massive ensemble, I love the raw energy of the preparation process just as much as the performance itself.
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