Surtaal is an app created by KTM Studio, designed as a comprehensive practice tool for Indian classical musicians and learners. The app focuses on helping users master essential elements of classical music such as Alankars (musical patterns), Aalap, Sargam geet, and Taans (fast melodic passages). Its structured platform enhances users’ precision and consistency in riyaz (practice), making it a versatile tool for both vocalists and instrumentalists.

Key Features

1. Alankars in All Scales, Taals and Thaats:

   Surtaal enables users to practice thousands of alankars (from Basic to Advance) across all 12 scales and 10 Thaats. These alankars are designed to help users perfect their note phrases in both ascending (Aroha) and descending (Abroha) patterns. The app includes over 62 Taals (rhythmic cycles), with multiple variations for each taal, offering flexibility for musicians practicing different Raags, moods, and rhythms.

2. Aalaap, Sargam Geet and Taan Practice:

   The app provides extensive support for Aalaap, Sargam Geet and Taan practice, crucial elements within Raags. There are 8 matra as well as 16 matra Aalaaps and Taans for most of the Raags.

3. Custom Pattern Section:

   One of Surtaal’s standout features is the Custom Pattern Section, where users can design their own alankars or notations. Musicians can choose specific notes, rhythms, and tempos to create unique exercises that match their needs. This tool encourages creative exploration, allowing users to experiment with new musical ideas or focus on particular areas of improvement.

4. Favorite Alankar Patterns:

   Surtaal allows users to favorite specific alankar patterns, which can then be easily accessed from the upper right section of the Alankar tab. This feature saves time during practice, as musicians can quickly return to their most frequently used or challenging patterns without scrolling through the entire list.

5. Customizable Practice:

   The app offers full control over the tempo, pitch, and rhythmic patterns, enabling users to tailor their practice sessions according to their individual goals. Whether a musician needs to slow down to master a difficult pattern or increase the speed for faster passages, Surtaal provides the flexibility to adjust these settings seamlessly.

6. Rhythm (Taal) Integration:

   Surtaal integrates Taals (rhythmic cycles) to allow users to practice alankars, Taans, and other exercises in sync with the chosen rhythm. This helps musicians maintain accurate timing, which is essential for both vocalists and instrumentalists in classical music.

7. Tanpura Pattern Customization:

   Users can also change the Tanpura patterns to suit their preferences. The app provides a variety of Tanpura note sequences, such as the standard Pa-Sa-Sa and other combinations. This feature enhances the user’s ability to customize their drone sound, which serves as a constant reference during practice.

8. Swarmandal BPM Control:

   Surtaal includes a Swarmandal section, where users can adjust the BPM (beats per minute) independently of other settings. This feature is perfect for musicians who want to control the speed of the Swarmandal separately, creating a more nuanced practice environment that can adapt to both slow and fast compositions.

9. Bell on Sam or Taali:

One of the key features in Surtaal is the ability to activate a bell sound on Sam or Taali. In Indian classical music, Sam is the first beat of the rhythmic cycle (Taal) and holds significant importance, while Taali refers to the accented beats in a cycle. Surtaal gives users the option to hear a distinct bell sound on these crucial beats during their practice.

10. Multi-Purpose for Various Instruments:

  While Surtaal is designed primarily for vocalists, it is equally useful for instrumentalists. Musicians who play the harmonium, sitar, flute, or other classical instruments can benefit from the app’s features, as it provides the necessary scales, rhythms, and patterns for instrumental practice as well.

11. User-Friendly Interface:

   Surtaal features a simple and intuitive interface, making it accessible to musicians at any level—beginners and seasoned artists alike. The interface is designed to be easy to navigate, ensuring that users can focus on their music without being distracted by overly complex controls.

12. Language Options:

    To accommodate a wide audience, Surtaal allows users to switch between Devanagari script and English. This makes the app accessible to both Nepali and Hindi-speaking users who prefer traditional script and those more comfortable with English notations or to those who cannot read Devanagari script.

13. Volume Control:

    The app provides volume sliders that allow users to adjust sound levels directly. Whether you are using headphones or playing aloud, you can easily control the volume of the Tanpura, beats, or other accompanying sounds, ensuring a balanced and clear practice experience.

14. Ideal for Self-Learners:

    Surtaal is an excellent tool for self-learners who may not have access to a teacher. Its comprehensive features and structured approach enable users to maintain regular practice sessions on their own, making it a reliable resource for anyone looking to improve their skills in Indian classical music.

15. Available on Multiple Platforms:

    Originally launched for iOS, Surtaal has expanded and is now available on the Android Play Store, making it accessible to a wider range of users.

Future Expansion:

The creators have a vision to expand Surtaal’s features further. Future updates may include custom practice sessions, vocal recording, pitch monitoring, writing notations and exporting pdf/docs, as well as additional instruments like harmonium, dholak and so on. Regular updates based on community feedback ensure that the app continues to evolve to meet the needs of classical music practitioners.

This app is perfect for anyone serious about their Indian classical music journey, offering a rich experience for both vocalists and instrumentalists.