Welcome back to the Tabla Theka blog. This is the second and final part of our series on Rabindranath Tagore's unnamed taals.
If you missed the first part covering the 12, 11, and 10-beat taals, you can read it here.
Diving Deeper: The 9, 7, 6, and 4-Beat Taals
In this post, we will explore some of the more intricate and rhythmically diverse unnamed taals created by Tagore. These cycles, particularly the asymmetric 9-beat and 7-beat variations, showcase his mastery in crafting rhythms that move beyond mathematical precision to perfectly capture the emotional core of his compositions.
The 9-Beat Unnamed Taals: A Study in Asymmetry
The 9-beat cycle (Navamatrik Taal) is one of the most versatile in Tagore's compositions, appearing in several distinct forms. Its asymmetric nature lends a unique, flowing quality to the songs, making it a favorite for conveying complex emotions.
Variation 1 (3 | 6)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhin | Na | Dha | TereKete | Dha | Dhin | Dha | Ge | Dhin |
| X (Sam) | 2(Clap) | |||||||
Example Song: "Byakul Bokuler Phule"
Variation 2 (3 | 3 | 3)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dha | Dha | Tin | Na | Kat | Ta | Dha | Ge | Dhin |
| X (Sam) | 2(Clap) | 3(Clap) | ||||||
Example Song: "Je Knadone Hiya"
Other Notable Unnamed Taals
The 7-Beat Taal (3 | 4)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dha | Dhi | Na | Dhi | Na | Na | Dhi |
| X (Sam) | 2(Clap) | |||||
Watch the Demonstration
Example Song: "Tomar Geeti Jagalo Smriti"
The 6-Beat Taal (6)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhi | Dhi | Na | Dhi | Na | Dhi |
| X (Sam) | |||||
Watch the Demonstration
Example Song: "Hridoy Amar Prokash Holo"
The 4-Beat Taal (2 | 2)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dha | Dhin | Na | Tin |
| X (Sam) | 2(Clap) | ||
Watch the Demonstration
Example Song: "Sobare Kori Ahoban"
Practice Tips for Mastering These Taals
- Internalize the Flow: Since many of these taals are asymmetric, focus on feeling the rhythmic flow rather than just counting the beats. Reciting the bols (Padhant) is key.
- Use a Metronome: Practice with a metronome at a slow speed to ensure your timing is precise, especially for the gaps (avagraha).
- Listen, Listen, Listen: The best way to master these taals is to immerse yourself in the songs they were made for. Listen actively to how the rhythm and melody interact.
- Isolate the Challenge: For a complex taal like the 9-beat (3|6), practice each division separately before combining them. Master the 3-beat phrase, then the 6-beat phrase, and then stitch them together.
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