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Welcome

Hello! My name is Vijay Jagtap. I am a professional Sitar player, teacher, and composer, based in London. I was born to a family of traditional musicians in Vadodara, India, and I have been involved with music for more than 40 years in a variety of different roles.

In one of my favourite quotes about music, Plato said that music gives life to everything. I truly believe he is right, and that is why I have devoted my life to sharing the gift of music with my students and audiences. It is my sincerest wish that you will allow me to share the same gift with you.

Welcome to my website. I hope you enjoy what you find here, and please come back and visit often. There will always be something new to discover.

 

In my roles as a musician and teacher, I feel a responsibility to share this wisdom with my audiences and students, so that they will experience music in a more profound and joyful way than they have ever known before.

 

Vijay Jagtap

Performance

I have worked with many great artists all over the world, covering a wide range of musical styles from Indian traditional classical to Fusion and much, much more! I have performed on television and radio, and one of my proudest moments was playing Sitar for Her Majesty The Queen at Westminster Abbey.

If you require a professional Sitarist for concerts, tours, recording sessions, live performances or demonstrations, please get in touch. You’ll find more details in the Bookings section of my website.

REQUEST A PERFORMANCE

Teachings

As much as I love performing, I am equally as passionate about teaching. I come from a musical tradition where the bond between teacher and student is incredibly special, and I have been privileged to teach many hundreds of adults and children over the past 35 years.

I offer lessons in Sitar, Tabla, Harmonium/Keyboard, Hindustani Vocal, and Tanpura, both face-to-face and online. My approach isn’t as academic or analytical as many other teachers. Instead, I have developed a very personal form of teaching that engages the heart and the emotions as much as the mind. My method is fun (but still challenging!) and ensures my students achieve their musical goals but always at their own pace. If the student wants to undertake music exams, I offer that too. I can prepare them for Ofqual accredited graded exams up to 8th grade and diploma qualifications in music within the UK’s national curriculum.

You’ll discover much more information in the Lessons section of my website.

REQUEST A PERFORMANCE
REQUEST A LESSON

Testimonial

Your music is Mind and Soul music. Awesome performance, and excellent co-ordination and body language between you and the Tabla player on stage. Astounding!”
5
Sandhya
England
Thank you for all your invaluable lessons. I totally enjoyed learning and performing my Tabla skills in various performances. Thanks for being my favorite music teacher. I will miss you!
5
Laxman
London
One of the most highly acclaimed British-based Sitar artists. He is renowned for both his technical excellence and brilliance on strings
5
Swarupam,
London, England
I found Vijay’s style of teaching very clear, his manner very encouraging, and the atmosphere totally comfortable. I thoroughly enjoyed it
5
Karmjit
London
Guru Vijay Jagtap-ji’s patient hands-on teaching makes music really accessible. Being able to receive one-to-one instruction over nearly two decades has been a privilege
5
Dr Ondrej Pribyl
IT company director, London
Tonight, I had my first Sitar lesson with Vijay. It was one of the most amazing hours of my life. I wish more teachers out there could be like him
5
Adam
London
I highly recommend Guruji to any parent keen on introducing Hindustani music to their child
5
Krish Vasudevan
Software engineer, Bushey England
Learning the Sitar with Vijay is always a high point of my week. It is a real privilege to have such a talented and committed musician as a teacher
5
Jimmy Pitt-Watson
London

Mr. Jagtap is a true diamond! I am SO delighted to have met him. I am taking Sitar lessons and am truly enjoying every session. He is genuinely professional in many Indian instruments including my favorite Sitar. His teaching method is really excellent I learned the basics in a couple of sessions! I’m so grateful for his kindness!

5
Sarwar Haidari
Engineer UK
Learning to play the Sitar from Guruji has been one of the most rewarding aspects in my life. Now my son has also started to learn to play the Sitar from Guruji
5
Bimal
London
It was an amazing performance leaving an everlasting impression over our minds.
5
Dr Prakash Kumar
Medical Specialist, Reading England

When I had my first lesson with Vijay my intention was to have a one off class, but in that first hour I learned so much and I understood there was so much more to learn that I immediately signed up for 10 classes.

5
Santiago Alegrett
Sound Engineer UK
I found the first lesson very relaxed and focused. The teaching style was friendly and I was very pleased to have been able to learn a scale within the first session
5
Gurpreet G
Medical Professional, Cambridge, England
My 10-year-old daughter and I have been learning Sitar from Pandit Vijay Jagtap since November last year. From the very first lesson, we both came away feeling very peaceful.  He’s kind, tolerant, patient, cultured, expert in his field and enjoys what he teaches. As for myself, have learnt a lot more in the last few months with Pandit Vijay Jagtap. I would most definitely recommend this teacher. We are both really enjoying our lessons… so much so that I’m waiting for my next child to be old enough to learn from him too!
5
Vrinda Kishori
London
Vijay is a committed artist who infuses sheer magic in his performance and mesmerises listeners with his beautiful compositions
5
Narendra Kumar
England
Thank you, Guruji, for continuing to teach the children via Zoom during this pandemic. The kids have thoroughly enjoyed your Tabla lessons
5
Sai School London
UK
Vijay is patient and takes you through each step. I like the way we sing together following the notation, just like reciting a song. It helps me to play the instrument better”
5
Mohan
Medical professional, London
Thank you for the invaluable Riyaz session today. I am very happy to have attended as it inspires me to practice and play today. Best wishes.
5
Maya
London
Incredible sitar playing. I love the sensitivity of your playing, and I would love to come and watch you play very much. Please let me know the next time you’re performing
5
Colin Gall, London
London

We thank you for the music you played 'for us'. How truly delightful it was and it was a magical moment for us to hear it.

5
Mike and Lynda
England

Vijay is a truly wonderful sitar player! He creates a very beautiful sound that was perfect for our event. Our guests were all very complimentary of his music and Vijay was professional and organised to work with.

5
Anna Beketov
London

Ustad Jagtap-ji is an excellent teacher. His passion and love for music is manifested through his teaching.

5
Hamasa/Sienna
Medical Professional, London, England

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Say Hello

 

If there’s anything you’d like to know about my work or the services I offer, please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you, and I’ll do my best to reply to your message as quickly as I can.

 

 

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