Category Archives: Carnatic Rhythm

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January 31, 2014

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Audio, Carnatic Rhythm, intermediate

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Tha Din Gi Na Thom In Action

The first lesson on this site is dedicated to Tha Din Gi Na Thom, one of the fundamental rhythmic phrases in Carnatic music. Below I’ve posted a solo I took over John Scofield’s tune, “Chank,” where I’m using a range of Tha Din Gi Na Thom phrases. I found it very challenging to work these phrases into my playing initially and to do so organically, but after isolating the phrases and using them as I play scales, sticking to one phrase as I solo over simple forms, etc, I’m finding that it’s getting more comfortable and convincing. Layering them into my playing has added a new dimension of rhythmic and melodic shape to my playing and provides me with a new outlet of expression. I hope this serves as inspiration to those of you who are trying to work these new cells into your own playing and would love to hear how you are applying this new language into your own work!

Solo clip from “Chank”

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January 20, 2014

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Carnatic Rhythm, intermediate, video

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Adi Thalum Displacement Exercise – Ta Ki Ta (Video)

Here’s a follow up video to the first displacement exercise we covered also in Adi Thalum, but this time displacing our phrase, Ta Ka Di Mi Ta Ka Ju Nu, by three 16th notes using the three beat phrase, Ta Ki Ta. Try learning this exercise through the video before checking out the notation, which is available to download at the bottom of the page.

adithalum_displacement_takita

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November 25, 2013

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Carnatic Rhythm, intermediate, video

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Displacement Exercise in Adi Thalum – Takatakita (Video)

This video demonstrates a classic rhythmic displacement exercise in Carnatic music. In the 8 beat cycle Adi Thalum, the phrase Ta Ka Di Mi Ta Ka Ju Nu is displaced by a 16th note via the phrase Ta Ka Ta Ki Ta, a cell of five 16th notes. Watch the video and attempt to figure out the exercise. If you need help, check out the attached pdf, available to download, at the bottom of the page.

adithalum_displacement_takatakita

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November 24, 2013

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Audio, Carnatic Rhythm, Introductory

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Kanda Chapu – 5 Beat Cycle (Audio)

Kanda Chapu is the 5 beat thalum or cycle in Carnatic music. It can be thought of as 5/4 time. It is shown through a series of claps: Clap on beat 1; Clap on beat 3; Clap on beat 4.

Kanda Chapu can be recited using syllables Ta Ka Ta Ki Ta, a 2 + 3 beat grouping. The audio below is a series of exercises in Kanda Chapu. Each clip shows Kanda Chapu thalum while reciting Ta Ka Ta Ki Ta in different subdivisions. This is great practice for strengthening one’s time feel and getting more comfortable in 5/4 time. Try learning this material by ear. A downloadable pdf of this lesson is available at the bottom of the page with these exercises written in western notation. Have fun!

Kanda Chapu with Ta Ka Ta Ki Ta in Quarter Notes

Kanda Chapu with Ta Ka Ta Ki Ta in 8th Notes

Kanda Chapu with Ta Ka Ta Ki Ta in 16th Notes

Kanda Chapu with Ta Ka Ta Ki Ta in Triplets

Kanda Chapu with Ta Ka Ta Ki Ta in Quarter Note Triplets

Kanda Chapu 5 beat cycle

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November 10, 2013

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Audio, Carnatic Rhythm, Introductory

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Adi Thalum – Taka Dimi Taka Junu in Different Subdivisions (Audio)

Sreenath Sreenivasan presents the phrase Taka Dimi Taka Junu in different subdivisions in Adi Thalum. Adi Thalum is an 8 beat cycle found in Carnatic Music. Adi Thalum is shown through a series of claps and waves.

To show Adi Thalum:

Clap on Beat 1; press the pinky to the palm for beat 2; press the ring finger to the palm for beat 3; press the middle finger to the palm for beat 4; clap on beat 5, wave on beat 6, clap on beat 7, wave on beat 8. Beats 6 and 8 can also be shown by clapping with the reverse side of the hand, as opposed to the palm side.

Taka Dimi Taka Junu can be understood as counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

This lessons shows Sreenath reciting Taka Dimi TakaJunu in different subdivisions while keeping thalum, or keeping the beat. A notated lesson that covers this material can be found here. A western notation, downloadable pdf of this lesson can be found at the bottom of the page. Start slowly and recite the syllables with a smile. The feel, bounce and energy will come quicker if this is approached musically and with enthusiasm!

Taka Dimi Taka Junu in 8th Notes

Taka Dimi Taka Junu in 16th Notes

Taka Dimi Taka Junu in 32nd Notes

Taka Dimi Taka Junu in Triplets

Taka Dimi Taka Junu in Sextuplets

Adi_Thalum_Takadimi_Takajunu

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November 2, 2013

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Carnatic Rhythm, intermediate, video

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Adi Thalum – Diminutive Rhythmic Phrase Using Tha Din Gi Na Thom (Video)

Sreenath Sreenivasan performs a diminutive rhythmic phrase in the 8 beat cycle, Adi Thalum. The phrase takes the introductory rhythmic cell, Tha Din Gi Na Thom, and shows it with diminishing gaps between each Tha Din Gi Na Thom cell. A pdf. in western notation can be found at the bottom of the page. I would encourage any listeners to first learn this phrase by ear, with the recitation and clapping, then jump to the written notation.

Syllables to understand:

Ta Ka Di Mi Ta Ka Ju Nu – This can be thought of as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Tha Din Gi Na Thom – This is typically a 5 beat cell, but in this demonstration, gaps or beats are inserted between each syllable that lengthen the phrase.

Clapping Adi Thalum

Clap on beat 1. Press the pinky to the palm for beat two; the ring finger to the palm for beat 3; and the middle finger to the palm for beat 4. Clap on beat 5. Wave on beat 6. Clap on beat 7. Wave on beat 8.

Enjoy the video!

adithalum_diminutive_thadinginathom

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November 2, 2013

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Carnatic Rhythm, Introductory

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Rhythmic Building Blocks (Notation)

This lessons covers more introductory rhythmic phrases found in Carnatic music. These syllables are also used in North Indian Hindustani Classical music and can be seen as universal ways to describe rhythmic groupings. Don’t feel like the syllables can only be used when studying or practicing Indian Classical Music. Recite the syllables while playing through the exercises to enhance fluidity with the phrases. Audio and a supplementary video element to this lesson will be posted shortly. A PDF is available for download at the bottom of the page.

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September 17, 2013

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Carnatic Rhythm, Introductory

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Tha Din Gi Na Thom – 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9 (Notation)

Tha Din Gi Na Thom is a Konnakol phrase used to describe multiple rhythms. Check out these phrases and explore the exercises and games. Feel free to use numbers instead of the syllables to count, but try out the syllables as they are the language and more fun to say than numbers!  You can download this material as a PDF at the bottom of the page. Click here for supporting audio of this lesson.

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