Practice what you learn in class every week at home, preferably for 15 to 30 minutes every day.
Guess the Raag game
So far, we have learnt about 8 or so songs in various raags. Of these, we have learnt songs in 4 raags in some depth. These are the Pancham raags Bhoopaali (Carnatic Mohanam), Darbari Kaanada and Shuddha Saarang and the Madhyam raag Malkauns (Carnatic Hindolam).
Download the MIA album, Dasanjali.mia, from the Dasanjali web site to your computer.
Login and import that album into your musicindiaonline.com account.
Play random parts of the songs from the album in a random sequence and ask the student to guess the raags they are sung or played in.
Learn Raag Yaman Kalyan in Thaat Kalyan
This raag has roots, both from the Hindusthani raag Yaman and the Carnatic raag Kalyani.
Practice its Aaroha, Avaroha and Pakad.
(Aaroha) S R G m P D N S'
(Avaroha) S' N D P m G M G R S
(Pakad) GR SRGmPPm GMGR GRNRS
Learn the song Sree Raama Chandra Krupaalu, a composition by Saint Thulasi Das in Raag Yaman Kalyan and Taal Mishra Chaapu (7 beats).
Practice the seemingly strange 7-beat taal alone for a while until you are comfortable with it and then start singing the song to that beat. The best way to practice the taal is by repeatedly saying Thakita Thaka Dhimi or 1-2-3-1-2-1-2. With these techniques, the taal will become easy to sing to.
Practice the song, Mai Gulam also from Lesson 13 and listen to its on-stage rendition in Lesson 14.
Last but not the least, remember that attending the class regularly is very important. A lot more techniques may be taught in the "live" class that may not be all mentioned here on the web. Enjoy singing!