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Lesson 6: Accompaniment (I): Sam

 

This lesson describes the process of playing the kartals for songs at the sam of the cycle. The sam is the first matra of the cycle. There are a few songs and pieces that begin on the sam. Therefore, in order to accompany properly, the singer’s sam and the sam of the kartal cycle of choice should match.

 

Here is a song that uses a sixteen matra cycle that starts on the sam.

 

 

Figure 6.1

This is just like the tala notation that was used throughout this guide. However, instead of having kartal strikes, it has the notes that are to be sung (or played on a melodic instrument) and the words that are sung at the corresponding matra and note. For example at matra 8, the note “ga” is sung for the syllable “te.” In this figure, the sam of this cycle has the first word “o” (the word “om” actually uses two matras, but it starts at the sam).

 

The other red numbers (2, 0, 3) are tala numbers in which their theory is beyond the scope of this presentation. For now, just think of the red tala numbers are dividers. Since this is a sixteen beat cycle, it would be very wise to use a four-matra cycle. Since one does not know if this song is sung in slow, medium, or fast tempo, it is safe to use Cycle 1 from Lesson 4. Look at Figure 6.2 to see how the kartal strikes from that kartal cycle match up to the words of the song.

 

 

Figure 6.2

 

AUDIO CLIP 6.1

 

ACCOMPANIMENT PRACTICE:

 

Normally in kirtan settings, mridanga players are always there and there will always be someone clapping to the rhythm. However, in cases like dadra tala or Bengali ektal, mridanga players and the main singer, especially, would appreciate help in marking the rhythmic landmarks. Therefore, these tracks are without mridanga, claps, or any instrument that marks rhythm. Good luck!!

 

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Describing where and when to start playing is just as difficult in teaching it as well as learning it. Therefore, Lessons 6, 7, and 8 will be mostly audio clips only with brief commentaries by me. The only way to learn this is by practicing by seeing many examples and taking advantage of any opportunity there is to provide accompaniment. –KD 11/9/07

 

ACCOMPANIMENT 1 IN TINTAL (16 matra cycle):

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

Listen to the clip and begin accompaniment

 

ACCOMPANIMENT 2 IN BANGLA EKTAL (12 matra cycle):

Namamisvaram Saccidananda Rupam

Listen to the clip and begin accompaniment

 

ACCOMPANIMENT 3 IN DADRA TALA (6 matra cycle):

Kadacit Kalindi Tata

Listen to the clip and begin accompaniment

 

ACCOMPANIMENT 4 IN PRABHUPADA TALA (16 matra cycle)*:

Boro Sukher Sukher Khabor Gai

Listen to the clip and begin accompaniment

 

ACCOMPANIMENT 5 IN KAHERVA TALA (8 matra cycle):

Bolo Hari Bolo

Listen to the clip and begin accompaniment

 

*Prabhupada tala is actually eight beats. However, to keep the scope of this tutorial simple and not to dwelve into layakari territory, it is posted as sixteen matras for the kartal guide.

 

UPDATED: June 23, 2009