The contents:
* Introduction 3:40
* Structure of the harmonium and function of various parts of a simple folding harmonium 14:35
* Om chanting with drone sound, setting the desired drone notes, pumping technique 7:00
* Musical basics, Indian note names, fingering for major scale 10:05
* Accompaniment for mantra Lokah Samastah with drone and bass 7:30
* Further learning options 2:20

Daniel Tucker learnt Western music from early childhood. As a young man, he discovered his passion for kirtan and harmonium. He first learnt from different teachers (including Jai Uttal) in California, and then went to the Mayapur, a major center of the Indian kirtan tradition, for in-depth studies. On this basis, he developed his own harmonium teaching system that combines Indian melody and rhythm concepts with Western chords in a unique way. His teaching conveys not only individual songs, but also the basic understanding that enables you to understand the chords, scales and rhythms of kirtan, read notations and continue life-long learning. In addition, he wants to encourage you to deepen your relationship with the divine name, open the heart, develop confidence in your own voice, enjoy public performances, build a love affair with the harmonium and sing out every day.

DVD produced in 2013, playing time 45:10

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And how do you learn the melodies? Just listen to the CD and sing along until you've got them! The bhajans and melodies on the CD are sung so beautifully, full of emotion and with so many variations by a well-sounding female voice that listening is a real pleasure. Because of the CD this media package is also an interesting source for more experienced musicians and of course for all Krishna devotees, too.

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The movement is from Bengal, has spread worldwide during the past fifty years and worships God Vishnu, particularly in his incarnation as Krishna. In the west they became known through mendicants singing and dancing in the streets. Their music is based on classical Northern Indian and on specific Bengal traditions with melodies and rhythms that are intoxicating on the one hand and very complex on the other hand. The DVD set was produced by insiders of the Hare Krishna movement and includes some cultic ritualistic elements that should be overlooked when the interest is of a purely musical nature. The presentation is in English and at times makes an improvised impression. But the material that is introduced offers a unique abundance of authentic information and is highly interesting for all percussionists with a passion for Indian grooves, for all Kirtan singers, for Krishna devotees and of course for all harmonium, Khol and cymbal players.

DVD 1: Mrdanga Lessons – Running time 87 minutes: 5 well-structured lessons with Krishna Kirtana Dasa and Nityananda Prana Dasa: Posture, Mridanga Mantra, stroke technique with phonetic syllables (Bols), stroke combinations, Asawari (8 beats), Kaharva (8 beats), Tihais (endings that are repeated three times), Karfa (16 beats) and Jhati (4 beats). And finally some vocal bhajans accompanied by harmonium, Mrdanga and Kartals.

DVD 2: Harmonium Lessons – 113 minutes: 8 well-structured lessons by Vaiyasaki Dasa in traditional Indian melody playing for accompanying vocals with c# as keynote: Fingering, different scales, technical basic exercises and simple tunes. Finally 14 more complex pieces of music with elaborate accompaniment for playing along and replaying for advanced musicians. Besides, four further challenging Visnujana pieces with Sunanda Dasa.

DVD 3: Kartal – Running time 36 minutes: Krishna Kirtana Dasa demonstrates posture, stroke techniques, various songs and basic rhythms in 6, 7, 8, 12, and 16 beats.

DVD 4: Sri Prahlad Harmonium Melodies – Running time 90 minutes: Sri Prahlad presents thirty sung melodies with ambitious harmonium accompaniment in D and E and in medium tempo for the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra as well as seven further hymns called Melodies for Pranama. Besides, an introduction into purpose and practice of chanting and Kirtan singing in the Hare Krishna movement.

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The DVD series "Teach Yourself...." , produced in India, offers the chance to get an insight into the Indian way of teaching. All DVDs with the labelling  "Teach Yourself...." are in English and have a duration of 90 - 120 minutes. Since the DVDs were produced for the Indian market, Indian terms are occasionally required. Also, the typical Indian style of teaching sometimes does not really seem plausible and is in parts inconsistent. Also faults in the synchronous progression of image and sound occur. Due to the good price, the abundance of material and the fact that there are sometimes no alternatives on the market we offer this DVD anyway.