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Introduction to Tritaal Tukra - Part 4
Welcome to the fourth part of our Tritaal Tukra series. A Tukra is a short, impressive composition that starts on 'Sam' and ends with a Tihai. This lesson features a Tukra with a powerful 12-beat Tihai, which is an excellent exercise for developing your stamina and rhythmic control on the tabla.
Watch a Live Demonstration of Tukra #4
A Quick Recap of Tritaal's Structure
To properly place this Tukra, remember that Tritaal is a 16-beat cycle divided into four equal sections (vibhags) of four beats each. This structure provides the rhythmic canvas for our composition.
| Beats (Matra) | 16 |
|---|---|
| Divisions (Vibhag) | 4 (with a pattern of 4|4|4|4) |
| Clap (Taali) | 3 (On 1st, 5th, and 13th beats) |
| Wave (Khali) | 1 (On 9th beat) |
| First Beat (Sam) | On 1st beat, marked with an 'X' |
Notation for Tritaal Tukra - Part 4
Here is the complete notation for our fourth Tritaal Tukra. It is presented in four rows, with each row representing a 4-beat division of the taal, to make it easy to read and practice.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhage | Terekete | Tu | Na |
| X (Sam) | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Terekete | Dha-ghena | Dha-ghena | Dha-ghena |
| 2(Clap) | |||
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| Dha | -Ghena | Dha-ghena | Dha-ghena |
| 0 (Wave) | |||
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Dha | -Ghena | Dha-ghena | Dha-ghena |
| 3(Clap) | |||
Breaking Down Tukra #4
This Tukra is composed of two main parts: a short opening phrase (Mukhda) followed by a long and powerful Tihai.
- The Mukhda (Beats 1-4): The body of the Tukra is a simple 4-beat phrase: "Dhage Terekete Tu Na". This phrase acts as a setup for the main Tihai.
- The Tihai (Beats 5-16): This is a powerful 12-beat Tihai. The repeating phrase is essentially "Terekete Dha-ghena Dha-ghena Dha-ghena", but with slight variations:
- 1st Repetition (Beats 5-8): Terekete Dha-ghena Dha-ghena Dha-ghena
- 2nd Repetition (Beats 9-12): Dha -Ghena Dha-ghena Dha-ghena
- 3rd Repetition (Beats 13-16): Dha -Ghena Dha-ghena Dha-ghena
How to Practice This Tukra
- Practice Padhant: Recite the bols aloud clearly and in rhythm. This is essential for mastering the long Tihai.
- Go Slow: Start practicing on the tabla at a very slow speed (vilambit laya) with a metronome or lehra.
- Master in Parts: Practice the Mukhda (beats 1-4) and the Tihai (beats 5-16) separately. For the Tihai, practice each of the three repetitions individually before combining them.
- Focus on Clarity (Nikas): Ensure each bol is sharp and clear. Pay special attention to the powerful "Dha-ghena" phrase.
Conclusion: Building Rhythmic Stamina
Congratulations on learning this dynamic Tritaal Tukra! Compositions with long Tihais like this are fantastic for building rhythmic stamina and control. Keep practicing, and you'll find your playing becomes more confident and powerful. Stay tuned for our next lesson!