Tabla Examination Notes

These flashcards cover key terminology and definitions related to tabla music, essential for understanding concepts in Indian classical music and preparing for exams.

Dha

A resonant, open-hand bol played by striking the Daya (right drum) and Baya (left drum) simultaneously.

Dhin

A basic bol used in tabla playing, formed by combining the 'Tin' sound on the Daya with a weighted 'Ga' on the Baya.

Teentaal

A taal (rhythmic cycle) consisting of 16 beats, divided into 4 vibhaags of 4 beats each.

Vilambit

Slow tempo in Indian classical music, allowing for detailed development of rhythmic phrases.

Madhya

Medium tempo in Indian classical music, bridging the gap between slow and fast speeds.

Drut

Fast tempo in Indian classical music, characterized by rapid execution of bols.

Kayeda

A systematic rhythmic expansion beginning with a theme and developed through logical variations known as Paltas.

Bol

The vocabulary of tabla, consisting of specific mnemonic sounds and notes produced by the drums.

Vibhaag

Structural divisions within a taal that indicate its design, typically separated by claps or waves.

Khaali

A 'void' or empty beat in a taal cycle, indicated by a hand wave and the absence of bass from the Baya.

Sum

The designated first beat (1) of any taal, marking the point of resolution for compositions.

Maatra

A numerical unit of time used to measure the duration of a taal, indicating individual beats.

Theka

The foundational set of bols that define the basic rhythmic identity and structure of a specific taal.

Mohra

A short, punchy rhythmic composition usually played as a transition or before starting a theka.

Mukhda

A short ornamental piece (literally 'face') that leads into the Sum, usually longer than a mohra.

Laya

The steady tempo or pulse generated from evenly repeated beats in a musical performance.

Para

Refers to traditional rhythmic compositions played on the Pakhawaj, known for their strong and heavy beats.

Paran

A fixed composition rooted in the Pakhawaj tradition, often featuring emphatic and loud bols.

Rela

A rapid drum-roll composition played in fast tempo, following a theme followed by intricate variations.

Tukda

A fixed composition that is relatively short and concludes with a Tehai ending on the Sum.

Chakradaar

A composition where a fixed piece (like a Tukda) is repeated three times to land precisely on the Sum.

Jaati

The classification of rhythmic patterns based on beat counts: Chatusra (4), Tisra (3), Khanda (5), Misra (7), and Sankirna (9).

Tehai

A rhythmic phrase repeated three times in succession, designed to resolve exactly on the Sum.

Tali

The accented beat in a taal marked by a physical clap, serving as a structural counterpart to Khaali.

Avartan

One complete cycle of a taal, spanning from the first beat (Sum) to the last beat before it repeats.

Palta

Variations created by rearranging the component bols of a Kayeda or Rela while maintaining the logic of the theme.

Dugun

Double speed; a rhythmic subdivision where two notes are played within the span of one Maatra.

Chugun

Quadruple speed; a rhythmic subdivision where four notes are played within the span of one Maatra.

Gat

A stylized, fixed melodic-rhythmic composition common in the Lucknow, Farrukhabad, and Benares gharanas.

Gharana

Traditional schools or lineages of tabla playing, such as Delhi, Ajrada, Lucknow, Benares, Farrukhabad, and Punjab.