Indian Classical Performance Improvisation (not pre-composed) Pitch – based on Raga (scales, but more) Rhythm – based on Tala (meters, but more) Process of “unfolding” the Raga - movement from low to high - rhythmic movement from slow to fast 5 February 2014 - Day 13 10 February 2104 - Day 14 1 1
Organization of the Improvisation Alap – opening section, free rhythm (no drums), establishes the Raga Jor (Jod) – drums enter, regular rhythm (Tala) established Jahla – fast, virtuosic concluding section Gat – fixed (pre-composed) tune featured in last section 5 February 2014 - Day 13 10 February 2104 - Day 14 2 2
RHYTHM Based on Rhythmic cycles (similar to Meter…but much MORE) Division of time by regular beats (MATRA) 1st beat of cycle [most important] (SAM) One group of beats [measure] (VIBHAG), [not all cycles of equal weight] Complete cycle (AVARTAN) Each cycle a unique pattern (TAL or TALA)
SOME DIFFERENT TALA Teental = 16 (4 + 4 + 4 + 4) [most common] Keharwa Tal = 8 (4 + 4) Adi Tal = 8 (4+2+2) Adachautal = 14 (2+4+4+4) Dadra tal = 6 (3 + 3) Ektal = 12 (2+2+2+2+2+2) Jhaptal = 10 (2+3+2+3) Sultal = 10 (2+2+2+2+2) Rupak Tal = 7 (3+2+2)
COUNTING TALA Not all Matra (beats) are equal 1st beat of cycle [most important] (SAM) Not all Vibhag (measures) are equal Tali (clap) = strong beginning to Vibhag Khali (wave) = weak beginning to Vibhag Remainder of Matra in Vibhag counted on fingers (begin w/ little finger)
COUNTING TEENTAL CLAP 2 3 4 WAVE 2 3 4 Ex. Tabla lesson - Teen taal – YouTube Ex.Ustad Zakir Hussain -- Vintage Teental Solo - YouTube
COUNTING ADI TAL CLAP 2 3 4 WAVE 2 Ex. Carnatic Tabla - Adi Taal - SREEJITHKUMAR.G - MUSIC WORLD - YouTube
COUNTING KEHERWA TAL CLAP 2 3 4 WAVE 2 3 4
COUNTING DADRA TAL CLAP 2 3 WAVE 2 3 Ex. Tabla lesson - Dadra taal.wmv – YouTube Ex. Taal dadra been played by ustad jaswinder meet - YouTube
COUNTING JHAPTAL CLAP 2 CLAP 2 3 WAVE 2 Ex. Jhaptal tabla demo – YouTube Ex. Ravi Shankar, Alla Rakha - Tabla Solo in Jhaptal - YouTube
COUNTING SULTAl CLAP 2 WAVE 2 This pattern is disputed (some consider this a 5-beat pattern)
COUNTING RUPAK TAL WAVE 2 3 CLAP 2 Ex. Tabla lesson - rupak taal – YouTube Ex. Tabla Solo - Rupak Taal - Pt. Samta Prasad Mishra - YouTube
Tabla (playing position) 5 February 2014 - Day 13 10 February 2104 - Day 14 13 13
TABLA “Tabla” (“on the right”) “Duggi” (“on the left”) 5 February 2014 - Day 13 10 February 2104 - Day 14 14 14
Modern Tabla (“bolt tuned”) List price: $ 418 (on sale: $ 313 plus S&H) 5 February 2014 - Day 13 10 February 2104 - Day 14 15 15
Learning & Playing Tabla Taught by rote (no written music used) Variety of strokes - area of drum head struck - finger(s) used - manner of stroke Taught Mnenomically with “Bols” Ex.: Dha, Din, Ga, Ta, Na, Ti, Ka, Tin, Tu, etc. YouTube video 5 February 2014 - Day 13 10 February 2104 - Day 14 16 16