India has its own style of music. There are different styles of music for virtually every state in the country. In fact, the music scene in the country is almost as diverse, if not more, than the demography of the country itself. And, there have been experts in almost every form of music in the country.

The different music styles in India can be broadly classified into Hindustani and Carnatic music. The best renowned of all Carnatic singers must be undoubtedly the great M S Subbalaxmi. There have been other well known singers as well, like B Joshi, and so on. Hindustani music focuses more on the playing of instruments rather than vocals.

The most popular instruments played by musicians in India are the sitar, veena, sarod, table, mridangam et al. the most well known table player in India, as well as the rest of the world even, is Ustaad Zakir Hussain. His son even has started playing the table now.

The most well knows player of the flute is Pandit H P Chaurasia. His playing of the flute has been immortalized in many a song and dance sequence in Indian cinema, as also in world wide concerts. As far as woodwind instruments go, Ustaad B Khan leads the way. His playing of the Shehnai has mesmerized audiences for over a decade. He sadly passed away, but his legacy carries on.

The other most notable names in the field of music in the country have made a name for themselves through teaching their skill to a vast number of students. They are spoken of very highly by both their pupils as well as their contemporaries.

Music Instruments which are used By Music Teachers :

• Guitar:

One of the most popular musical instruments in the World is the guitar, the growing popularity of Rock Music has made the guitar very popular amongst its followers and hence in every band there are about two to three guitarists. The guitar may be an acoustic one or even an electric one.

• Sitar:

The sitar is an Indian string instrument which is heavily found in Indian mythology as well. The Sitar forms an integral part of Indian classical music.

• Piano:

A keyboard instrument that is again very popular. It produces sound once the steel strings hit the hammer.

• Tabla:

The Indian tabla is basically a percussion instrument which has played a very important role either in classical, religious and historical Indian music.

There are two basic components in it which make it look like drums, but they are played with the hand and not with sticks as is the case with drums.

• Violin:

A very famous string instrument which is played frequently. A person who plays the violin or teaches people as to how to play a violin is called a violinist or a fiddler.

• Veena:

The veena is a traditional Indian music instrument and used mainly in Carnatic music. The veena looks like a Sitar, is a string instrument and is played sitting cross legged.