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Tagore's Unnamed Taals Part 4: 10-Beat Guide | Tabla Theka

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An illustrative guide for Tagore’s 10-beat unnamed taals

Exploring Tagore's Unnamed Taals (Part 4): The 10-Beat Variations

Welcome to the fourth part of our series on Rabindranath Tagore's unique unnamed taals. After covering various foundational cycles in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, we now arrive at the expansive 10-beat cycle. Tagore explored this taal with different rhythmic divisions, creating distinct moods for his compositions.

The 10-Beat Unnamed Taals

Watch the Demonstration

This beat count features multiple popular variations in Rabindra Sangeet, each with a unique feel.

Variation 1 (3 | 2 | 3 | 2)

10-Beat Taal (3|2|3|2) Details
Structure4 Divisions (3 | 2 | 3 | 2)
Tali (Claps)4 claps on the 1st, 4th, 6th, and 9th beats.
1234
DhiDhiNaDhi
X (Sam)2(Clap)
5678
NaTiTiNa
3(Clap)
910
DhiNa
4(Clap)

Example Song: "Pakhi Bole Champa Amare"


Variation 2 (5 | 5)

10-Beat Taal (5|5) Details
Structure2 Divisions (5 | 5)
Tali (Claps)2 claps on the 1st and 6th beats.
1234
DhaDhiDhiNa
X (Sam)
5678
DhiNaDhiDhi
2(Clap)
910
NaDhi

Example Song: "O Dekha Diye Je Chole Gelo"


Coming Up in Part 5

You have now explored the variations of the 10-beat cycle. In the final part of our series, we will cover the grand and majestic 11 and 12-beat unnamed taals.

Continue to Part 5: The Grand Cycles →

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