1. 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
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2. 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
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3. 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)

4. SOME DIFFERENT TALA Teental = 16 (4 + 4 + 4 + 4) [most common]
Keharwa Tal = 8 (4 + 4)
Adi Tal = 8 (4+2+2)
Adachautal = 14 ( )
Dadra tal = 6 (3 + 3)
Ektal = 12 ( )
Jhaptal = 10 ( )
Sultal = 10 ( )
Rupak Tal = 7 (3+2+2)

5. 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)

6. COUNTING TEENTAL CLAP 2 3 4 WAVE 2 3 4
Ex. Tabla lesson - Teen taal – YouTube
Ex.Ustad Zakir Hussain -- Vintage Teental Solo - YouTube

7. COUNTING ADI TAL CLAP 2 3 4 WAVE 2
Ex. Carnatic Tabla - Adi Taal - SREEJITHKUMAR.G - MUSIC WORLD - YouTube

8. COUNTING KEHERWA TAL
CLAP 2 3 4
WAVE 2 3 4

9. 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

10. COUNTING JHAPTAL CLAP 2 CLAP 2 3 WAVE 2
Ex. Jhaptal tabla demo – YouTube
Ex. Ravi Shankar, Alla Rakha - Tabla Solo in Jhaptal - YouTube

11. COUNTING SULTAl CLAP 2 WAVE 2
This pattern is disputed (some consider this a 5-beat pattern)

12. COUNTING RUPAK TAL WAVE 2 3 CLAP 2
Ex. Tabla lesson - rupak taal – YouTube
Ex. Tabla Solo - Rupak Taal - Pt. Samta Prasad Mishra - YouTube

13. Tabla (playing position)
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14. TABLA “Tabla” (“on the right”) “Duggi” (“on the left”)
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15. Modern Tabla (“bolt tuned”)
List price: $ 418 (on sale: $ 313 plus S&H)
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16. 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
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