Buy DVDs and learn from them. Visit any popular online DVD retailer for the widest array of choices and type “Carnatic Music” into the search field. Guides will range from those who are simply beginning to learn to more advanced students.
Learn Carnatic music online. The Internet is a terrific source to experience Carnatic music. Websites such as carnaticindia.com, ecse.rpi.edu or musicindiaonline.com all offer you the opportunity to experience Carnatic music and learn through listening and repetition. This is a free resource and could prove to be one of the most useful.
Immerse yourself in the music. By listening to Carnatic music more and more, you will develop an understanding of the notes, scales and styles of the music. Look to buy Carnatic music CDs or tune into your local Indian or Asian radio station (listen to radio online if you do not have an Indian or Asian station in your locality) and absorb the Carnatic music they play.
Practice your vocal skills extremely often. Carnatic music is such an interesting form of music because so much of the melody is created by the vocals of the musician. Once you have an initial grasp of what Carnatic music should sound like, try and hit the notes and perform the melodies yourself. This practice will gradually train your vocal skills to the appropriate level for Carnatic music.
Make contacts within the Indian community. Many Indian communities will look to keep their heritage alive by continuing to practice and perform Carnatic music. Ask in your local Hindu temple or Indian store about whether there are any avenues to learn Carnatic music, or whether they know a teacher (called a ‘guru’) of Carnatic music in the area.