Taal Library

Taals, matras & vibhags

X marks Sam, numbers mark Taali and 0 marks Khaali. Press “Theka” to hear the cycle with Sam accented.

Teentaal

The most widely used taal in Hindustani music; three taalis and one khaali.

90 bpm

Matras: 16
Vibhags: 4 (4+4+4+4)
Taali: X, 2, 3
Khaali: 1

X				2				0				3
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
Dha	Dhin	Dhin	Dha	Dha	Dhin	Dhin	Dha	Dha	Tin	Tin	Ta	Ta	Dhin	Dhin	Dha

Laya: Vilambit / Madhya / Drut

Ektaal

Used for bada khayal in vilambit laya and chhota khayal in drut.

90 bpm

Matras: 12
Vibhags: 6 (2+2+2+2+2+2)
Taali: X, 2, 3, 4
Khaali: 2

X		0		2		0		3		4
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Dhin	Dhin	DhaGe	TiRaKiTa	Tu	Na	Kat	Ta	DhaGe	TiRaKiTa	Dhi	Na

Laya: Vilambit / Drut

Jhaptaal

Asymmetric 2-3-2-3 cycle, common for madhya laya khayal.

90 bpm

Matras: 10
Vibhags: 4 (2+3+2+3)
Taali: X, 2, 3
Khaali: 1

X		2			0		3
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Dhi	Na	Dhi	Dhi	Na	Ti	Na	Dhi	Dhi	Na

Laya: Madhya

Rupak

Unique taal where sam falls on khaali.

90 bpm

Matras: 7
Vibhags: 3 (3+2+2)
Taali: 2, 3
Khaali: 1

0			2		3
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Tin	Tin	Na	Dhi	Na	Dhi	Na

Laya: Madhya

Dadra

Light taal used in dadra, bhajan and geet.

90 bpm

Matras: 6
Vibhags: 2 (3+3)
Taali: X
Khaali: 1

X			0
1	2	3	4	5	6
Dha	Dhi	Na	Dha	Ti	Na

Laya: Madhya / Drut

Keharwa

Popular in bhajan, ghazal and folk music.

90 bpm

Matras: 8
Vibhags: 2 (4+4)
Taali: X
Khaali: 1

X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Dha	Ge	Na	Ti	Na	Ka	Dhi	Na

Laya: Madhya / Drut

Deepchandi

Used for thumri and hori; also known as Chanchar.

90 bpm

Matras: 14
Vibhags: 4 (3+4+3+4)
Taali: X, 2, 3
Khaali: 1

X			2				0			3
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
Dha	Dhin	ऽ	Dha	Dha	Tin	ऽ	Ta	Tin	ऽ	Dha	Dha	Dhin	ऽ

Laya: Madhya

Jhoomra

Slow, swinging taal for vilambit khayal.

90 bpm

Matras: 14
Vibhags: 4 (3+4+3+4)
Taali: X, 2, 3
Khaali: 1

X			2				0			3
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
Dhin	-Dha	TiRaKiTa	Dhin	Dhin	DhaGe	TiRaKiTa	Tin	-Ta	TiRaKiTa	Dhin	Dhin	DhaGe	TiRaKiTa

Laya: Ati-vilambit

Chautaal

The principal taal of Dhrupad, played on pakhawaj.

90 bpm

Matras: 12
Vibhags: 6 (2+2+2+2+2+2)
Taali: X, 2, 3, 4
Khaali: 2

X		0		2		0		3		4
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Dha	Dha	Din	Ta	KiTa	Dha	Din	Ta	TiTa	KaTa	GaDi	GaNa

Laya: Madhya