NaadSadhana — The App That Teaches Classical Music Like a Guru

Sandeep Ranade, a former Silicon Valley engineer turned music educator, developed NaadSadhana, an app that provides real-time, AI-assisted feedback for Indian classical music vocalists, inspired by a student's struggle with note recognition. Drawing on his experience in digital-signal processing and psychoacoustics, Ranade created an algorithm to guide vocal practice, reminiscent of the traditional guru-kul system where students lived with their teachers for continuous learning. Initially launched without marketing, the app gained recognition organically and won the 2021 Apple Design Award for innovation. Ranade emphasizes an artistic approach to technology, prioritizing depth and user experience over rapid growth, and aims to enhance human musicianship by making music accessible to all, regardless of physical limitations.