1/Programs & Courses
Classical vocal training rooted in lineage, discipline, and expressive depth
The programs offered through the School of Classical Vocal Music are designed to provide structured, lineage-based training across multiple classical and expressive vocal forms. Each course reflects a distinct dimension of the tradition, while sharing a common foundation in voice culture, melodic understanding, and disciplined musical form.
Students may begin with a single course or pursue a longer path of study across multiple forms, guided by depth rather than speed.
2/ Welcome to the School
In this brief orientation, Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan introduces the school and explains how the programs are structured to support long-term classical vocal development within a lineage-based tradition.
Orientation video — coming soon.
3/The Approach
Training within this school emphasizes clarity, discipline, and sustained development. Rather than offering shortcuts or generalized techniques, the programs focus on cultivating a stable voice, refined listening, and an embodied understanding of classical form.
Instruction is grounded in:
Traditional voice culture and breath control
Melodic understanding rooted in classical rāga principles
Precision of intonation and phrasing
Expressive restraint and emotional intelligence
Long-term integration through repetition and study
Each course may be taken independently, yet all programs are designed to complement one another as part of a cohesive vocal education.
4/ Core Programs
Rāga — Foundational Classical Training
This program forms the technical and conceptual foundation of classical vocal music. Study focuses on voice culture, rāga structure, melodic development, and disciplined improvisation.
Thumri — Expressive Classical Form
Thumri training cultivates subtle emotional expression within classical discipline, emphasizing lyrical nuance, ornamentation, and refined phrasing.
Ghazal — Poetic Vocal Expression
This program explores the art of ghazal singing through clarity of text, melodic restraint, and balance between poetry and musical form.
Sufi Vocal — Devotional Expression
Sufi vocal training approaches music as contemplative practice, emphasizing breath-led phrasing, intention, and inner stillness within a disciplined framework.
This course does not include Qawwali.
5/ How Study Works
Courses are delivered through professionally recorded lessons designed for focused, long-term study. Instruction is paced to encourage repetition, reflection, and gradual refinement rather than quick consumption.
Students may:
Study at their own pace
Revisit lessons as needed
Combine programs over time
Build depth through sustained engagement
6/ Who These Programs Are For
These programs are intended for:
Serious students of classical vocal music
Dedicated practitioners seeking depth rather than novelty
Vocalists wishing to study within a lineage-based framework
No formal prerequisites are required for introductory study. Commitment, patience, and regular practice are essential.
7/
Explore the Programs
Select a course to view detailed curriculum outlines, lesson structure, and enrollment options.
