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Unleashing the Rhythmic Magic: Mastering Teen Taal for Music Learners



Title: Exploring Teen Taal: A Fundamental Rhythm for Music Learners


Introduction:

Namaste everyone! Welcome to my blog. My name is Ashwin Walawalkar, and I am a santoor artist. Today, I want to delve into the fascinating world of music and share with you one of the fundamental rhythms that every music learner should know: Teen Taal. Whether you play the santoor or any other musical instrument, Teen Taal serves as an excellent starting point for your musical journey. So, let's dive in!


Understanding Teen Taal:

Teen Taal is a rhythmic cycle consisting of 16 beats. These 16 beats are divided into four divisions, with each division containing four beats. It is important to familiarize yourself with the structure of Teen Taal to grasp its essence fully.


The divisions in Teen Taal:

In Teen Taal, the first division starts with the "thali" or the "sum." The first beat itself is the "sum," marking the beginning of the rhythm. The second division starts on the fifth beat, which is also a clap or "thali." The third division commences on the ninth beat, known as the "wave" or "Khali." Finally, the fourth and last division starts on the 13th beat, which is again a clap or "thali."


Syllables and notation:

Now, let's explore how to sing or recite Teen Taal. In Indian classical music, reciting or vocalizing the beats is known as "padhant." The syllables for Teen Taal are as follows:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16


Additionally, the "Khali" or "wave" is indicated by a specific notation, while "thali" represents clapping. So, the syllables for Teen Taal are:


Da Dhin Dhin Dha

Da Dhin Dhin Dha

Da Thin Thin Tha

Ta Dhin Dhin Dha Da (repeating the first syllable)


Musical practice with Teen Taal:

To practice Teen Taal, we can start by playing the basic alankar, which is a sequence of musical notes. The ascending order of the notes is Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa, followed by the descending order Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa. In total, there are 16 notes in Teen Taal.


First, we play the alankar in the "ekgoon" style, meaning one beat for each note:

Sa Re Ga Ma

Pa Dha Ni Sa

Sa Ni Dha Pa

Ma Ga Re Sa


After mastering the ekgoon, we can progress to the "dugoon" style, where each beat is associated with two notes:


Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa

Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa

Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa


Accompanying instrument and rhythm: In the context of Teen Taal, the accompanying instrument is usually the Tabla. While the Tabla maintains a consistent rhythm at a single speed, we play the instrument in double speed. This creates a beautiful interplay between the instruments and adds depth to the musical experience.


Conclusion:

Teen Taal is a foundational rhythm that every music learner should explore. By understanding its structure, syllables, and practice patterns, you can develop a solid musical foundation. Remember to start with the basic alankar in ekgoon and progress to dugoon, gradually building your proficiency. If you want to see a demonstration of these techniques and learn more about music, subscribe to our channel and hit the bell icon for updates.


Thank you for joining me on this musical journey. Let's continue to explore the enchanting world of music together.

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