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

• CLAP 2 3 4

• WAVE 2 3 4

• CLAP 2 3 4• Ex. Tabla lesson - Teen taal – YouTube

• Ex.Ustad Zakir Hussain -- Vintage Teental Solo - YouTube

History, Religion & Culture

• Harrapnam (NW India & Pakastan) 2500 BCE• Aryan Nomads (from North) push South

- non-literate (oral tradition)- threatened by native dialects

• Develop Rig-Veda (in praise of God)- necessary to intone precisely- development of performer-priests (Brahmin)- Natyasastra - treatise on how to intone

• Muslim invaders (from NW) push into India- divides India into two musical styles

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.

• Tabla Basic Bols - YouTube

Web & Video Examples of Tala

• Website: Basic Technique of Tabla• YouTube - Zakir Hussain lecture and demonstration o

f tabla• YouTube - 1.Tabla Basics - Basic sound 'Na‘• YouTube - 2.Tabla Basics - Basic sound 'Tha‘• YouTube - 3.Tabla Basics - Basic sound 'Thun'• YouTube - 4.Tabla Basics - Basic sound 'Thi'• YouTube - 5.Tabla Basics - Basic sound 'ghe'• YouTube - Ustad Zakir Hussain -- Vintage Teental S

olo

David Courtney Videos

• YouTube - Introduction to the Tabla - Part 1 - Bol and Gharana (skip to about 1:25 to begin)

• YouTube - Introduction to the Tabla - Part 2- Parts and Tuning

• YouTube - Introduction to the Tabla - Part 3 - Sitting & Hand Position

Learning Music in India

• Master / pupil (one-to-one relationship)

• Emphasis on Rote learning / perfection of technique

• Master (North = Ustad)

• Master (South = Guru)

• Reflects history of India

Master Teacher / Pupil Learning

• sitar playing and teaching destagir khan – YouTube

• George Harrison - sitar lesson with Ravi Shankar – YouTube

• Pandit Divyang Vakil ( guruji ) teaching Tabla to senior students (Talavya artists) - YouTube

History, Religion & Culture• Harrapnam (NW India & Pakistan) 2500 BCE• Aryan Nomads (from North) push South

- non-literate (oral tradition)- threatened by native dialects

• Develop Rig-Veda (in praise of God)- necessary to intone precisely- development of performer-priests (Brahmin)- Natyasastra – treatise on how to intone

• Muslim invaders (from NW) push into India- divides India into two musical styles

India & SW Asia

Carnatic/Karnatak

Hindustani

Muslim

Aryans

The North• Hindustani – Northern tradition

• But influenced by Islamic values

• Music as sensual pleasure (dangerous)

• Low status of musicians

• Guilds & professionalization

• oral transmission (secrecy)

• Master (Ustad)

• Tansen – court musician of North

Mian Tansen

(1506-1589)

Tomb of Tansen

The South• Karnatak/Carnatic – Southern tradition

• Traditional Hindu values

• Association w/ Rig-Veda- high status of musicians- vocal music most highly valued

• No secrecy = written composition

• Master (Guru)

• Tayagaraja (amateur)

KakarlaTyagaraja

(1767-1847)